Body found in burning truck in Cutler Bay, arrest made
MIAMI -- A 35-year-old man experiencing homelessness was arrested and is facing charges after a body was found Thursday in a truck that had been set on fire.
Randall Lautzenheiser has been charged with first-degree murder and arson in connection with the death of Igor Ernesto Ortiz, 39, of Miami, according to a statement by police.
Firefighters were dispatched Thursday around 1:45 p.m. for a report of a car fire at 20571 Old Cutler Road. When they arrived, they found thick black smoke coming from a Ford F250 truck that was fully engulfed in flames.
Video shared on Instagram showed flames and smoke coming from the truck as bystanders watched.
When the fire was finally out, firefighters found the body of Ortiz in the driver's seat of the charred pickup.
Police noticed a shirtless Lautzenheiser in the parking lot with burn marks on his arms and took him into custody, according to the arrest report.
According to police, Lautzenheiser and the man who died were seen together during the day, sitting inside the man's truck in the parking. Witnesses told police the two were arguing.
A witness at a gas station across the street from the parking lot told police they heard Lautzenheiser say "I'm going to be on CNN tonight," according to the report.
Lautzenheiser reportedly went to the gas station and filled a small can with gas. He then returned to the man's truck and the two began arguing again, according to police.
"Immediately following the loud verbal dispute, the victim's vehicle is engulfed in flames and the defendant is observed running away from the victim's vehicle," according to the arrest report.
During questioning, Lautzenheiser reportedly told police he went to the gas station and paid five dollars for a can of beer and the gas.
He said he was in the truck with the man, and the can of gas, when a cigarette he was smoking ignited it, according to the arrest report.