Man Sets Himself On Fire In San Marino After Trying To Kill Boss

SAN MARINO, CA — Police say a man who died after setting himself on fire Monday morning in San Marino allegedly rammed a woman's car minutes earlier in a what investigators believe was an attempted homicide.

Officers responded about 8:40 a.m. to a report of a vehicle on fire in the 1600 block of Shenandoah Road, near Huntington Drive, according to San Marino police Sgt. Tim Tebbetts.

They found a black Toyota truck fully engulfed in flames and witnesses said they believed there was a person inside, Tebbetts said.

The officers attempted to put out the fire until firefighters arrived and extinguished the flames, according to Tebbetts.

The man's body was then found inside, Tebbetts said.

"As officers were out at the scene, a victim came to the San Marino Police Department stating that an ex-employee purposely rammed her vehicle," he said.

The woman said the suspect drove his vehicle into the driver's side of hers as she was leaving her house, Tebbetts said.

Uninjured, she drove directly to the police department, where she told investigators she recognized the driver as someone who had previously worked for her, Tebbetts said.

"Witnesses stated after the victim left the scene, they saw the suspect pour a liquid substance over him and the vehicle," Tebbetts said. "The suspect then ignited himself inside the vehicle."

The case remains under investigation. The man's name has not been released.

Anyone with information that could assist investigators was urged to call (626) 300-0726 to speak with Detective Qureshi.

Anonymous tips can be submitted through Crime Stoppers by calling (800) 222-TIPS.

City News Service; Photo: Shutterstock