Suspect Arrested for Setting Three High-End Vehicles on Fire in Arson Case

A man has been arrested for arson after three vehicles were set on fire over the weekend. Manuel Morales is allegedly the man caught on surveillance footage, dousing the parked vehicles with gasoline. The vehicles included a 2022 black Escalade valued at 250 thousand dollars; a 2023 grey Audi valued at 150 thousand dollars and a brown Chevy Silverado valued at 85 thousand dollars.  Fire officials were called out to an area on Newtown Barracks where they found the vehicles on fire just after five o’clock yesterday morning.  Love News was informed that a few minutes prior, businessman Bob Hotchandani had just gotten home in the Escalade and went inside his home.  The surveillance footage shows that three men approached the home shortly after, carried out the act of arson, and then ran towards Golden Bay where a boat awaited to aid their escape. However, while the suspected arson is in custody, Assistant Commissioner of Police Hilberto Romero says police are yet to identify his accomplices. 

ACP Hilberto Romero, Regional Commander, Eastern Division:“We have one person in custody in regards to this investigation. I cannot say at this time. He was brought into custody last night and follow up work is being done at this time. We have not established any motive at this time. Investigation continues. We’re looking for other persons. We just have one of them in custody so far. Investigation showed that three persons came to the area, poured a flammable substance on the vehicles and lit them on fire. I can confirm they came on a boat, lit the vehicles on fire and then they left on the boat.”

According to police, all vehicles were insured, with two of them being covered with comprehensive insurance.