Arson suspect accidentally sets himself ablaze in Riverside County

Police are searching for an arson suspect who accidentally set himself on fire in Riverside County earlier this week.

Firefighters were called to a reported vehicle fire on the 900 block of Wakefield Avenue in Corona during the early morning hours Tuesday, the Corona Fire Department posted on Instagram.

Arriving crews found the vehicle still burning in the front yard of a home. “The fire destroyed the vehicle and caused moderate damage to the residence,” the Fire Department said.

A Ring camera captured what appeared to be a White or Hispanic man intentionally setting the vehicle on fire. The suspect then also caught fire when it burst into flames.

The video then shows the man running down the street with his clothes still ablaze.

The suspect was described as a male in his 30s between 5 feet 9 inches and 6 feet 1 inch tall with a medium build and shoulder-length light-colored hair.

The suspect got into what is believed to be a newer model pick-up truck, possibly a white Chevrolet or GMC with tinted windows and light-colored rims.

Anyone with information on the suspect’s identity or location was asked to contact Fire Investigator Travis Boan by either email at travis.boan@coronaca.gov or by phone at 951-736-2219.