MIAMI-DADE, Fla. -- Police are searching for an arsonist who could be seen on surveillance video setting a car on fire in Cutler Bay.
Surveillance video captured the incident that took place on Dec. 25, at around 3:30 a.m. An unknown suspect threw a molotov cocktail inside of a Lexus RX350, dowsed the outside of the vehicle with a flammable liquid and set it on fire. The suspect then fled the scene on foot.
Neighbors were awoken by the car's alarm and immediately saw the flames. "The house was catching on fire, and I thought if their house caught on fire, my house would catch on fire, so I grabbed my kids [and] knocked on my neighbor's [and] warned everybody and said, 'Hey, I think it's best if we get out," said Lewis, who chose not to reveal his surname.
The homeowners and their three children were not home during the incident, but instead were out celebrating the holiday with relatives. Their celebrations immediately ended when they received the news. "The car was up in flames in the middle of the night," said Vanessa. "I was speechless when I logged on to my cameras from my cell phone and saw the burned car in my driveway. I was speechless."
Surveillance footage from the homeowner's home caught the subject linger on the property prior to setting the vehicle on fire. "The person was here for a good 45 to 50 minutes," said Vanessa.
The subject could also be seen sneaking through the backyard and unsuccessfully attempt to light a second fire.
Vanessa said she has no enemies and has no clue as to who would do this to her and her family. "I have no idea. Someone I guess who ... I don't know but they ... I don't know why they would do this. I don't have any enemies, so I have no idea who did this at all," she said.
Areas throughout the front and backyard of the home remain charred from the fire.
Miami-Dade Police is seeking assistance from the community in identifying the suspect. Investigators do not know if the subject is a male or female, however, the family believes it may be a male.
If you have any information on this arson, call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS. Remember, you can always remain anonymous, and you may be eligible for a reward.
Source: 7 News
