Police on Lengthy Island are trying to find an alleged arsonist who struck at midnight in Suffolk County.
It occurred round 2 a.m. on Wednesday in entrance of a house at 400 American Boulevard in Brentwood. Safety video reveals somebody standing in entrance of a automobile earlier than a sudden flash, after which flames.
“A person in front of the vehicle who was using what we believed was a lighter that caused a large flash,” defined Suffolk Police Chief of Detectives Invoice Doherty. “And it’s very likely an accelerant was used.”
The proprietor of the automobile, Doris Portillo, mentioned she woke as much as a loud noise and was frightened when she noticed her automobile up in flames.
“The truth is that I felt very, very bad, but I felt worse for my children because they could see what was happening,” Portillo instructed NBC New York.
“The car was also something I worked hard to get,” the one mom of two kids added.
Portillo additionally mentioned detectives haven’t but reached out to her on this case, though Chief Doherty mentioned the arson squad is investigating.
At this level, Doherty says the fires don’t seem associated to different automobile fires in Suffolk County.
“We have a crime analysis center,” defined Doherty. “As of yet there’s no nexus between this particular car fire and any others.”
Police would love the general public’s assist in viewing the video and letting them know if they’ve any data. Neighbors mentioned they are going to be extra cautious on account of this unsettling crime.
“Right here on this space, we haven’t seen very similar to that, so with this taking place so shut it’s regarding as a result of I stay with my teen sister,” mentioned Brentwood resident Katherine Puentes.
