WESTMINSTER - A man was arrested after police said he threw a cup of gasoline on another man and tried to light him on fire in Southern California, authorities said.
Detectives were investigating the incident as a possible hate crime because the attacker "made a derogatory comment towards Hispanics" when he doused the victim in gasoline Wednesday in Westminster, police said in a statement.
The victim was sitting in his car at the time of the attack and was able to drive away before the suspect ignited the gasoline, the statement said.
The 36-year-old suspect was arrested after crashing while leading police on a short car chase. He could face charges including civil rights violations, attempted murder, and attempted arson, police said.
A motive was unknown. The victim and the suspect did not know each other, according to police.
Cops: Southern California man made derogatory comment about Hispanics before trying to light man on fire with gasoline
/ AP
WESTMINSTER - A man was arrested after police said he threw a cup of gasoline on another man and tried to light him on fire in Southern California, authorities said.
Detectives were investigating the incident as a possible hate crime because the attacker "made a derogatory comment towards Hispanics" when he doused the victim in gasoline Wednesday in Westminster, police said in a statement.
The victim was sitting in his car at the time of the attack and was able to drive away before the suspect ignited the gasoline, the statement said.
The 36-year-old suspect was arrested after crashing while leading police on a short car chase. He could face charges including civil rights violations, attempted murder, and attempted arson, police said.
A motive was unknown. The victim and the suspect did not know each other, according to police.
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