Police Hunt Suspect In Death Of Woman In Pomona Found Set Ablaze
POMONA (CBSLA.com) — Homicide detectives in Pomona on Saturday were investigating the death of a 41-year-old woman seen running from her home in flames, police said.
At 1:43 p.m. on Friday, officers responded to the 1500 block of Cordova Street on a report of a person who had been set on fire, said Pomona police Sgt. Bert Sanchez.
"Neighbors who saw the victim run from the residence engulfed in flames rendered assistance as she collapsed on the street and remained with her until LA County fire personnel arrived,"Sanchez said. "The victim was treated for severe burns and was transported to a local hospital where she died shortly thereafter as a result of her injuries."
The suspect in the death was identified as 51-year-old Clarence Duwell Dear of Pomona, he said.
"Preliminary information suggests that the suspect and victim became involved in an argument that escalated to physical violence," Sanchez said.
"It appears that during a domestic dispute, the suspect chased the victim from their residence and was able to douse the victim with gasoline. The suspect then ignited the victim, possibly with a lit cigarette."
Dear reportedly fled the scene and has not been seen or heard from since, he said. It was not know whether he fled on foot or other means of transportation, the sergeant said.
Even if Dear is not armed with a firearm he is still considered to be extremely dangerous, Sanchez said.
Anyone who knows Dear's whereabouts was urged to call their local police, Pomona police or 911, he said.
Pomona police can be reached at (909) 620-2085, (909) 622-1241 or anonymously through Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-TIPS (8477).
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