A witness is being credited with helping catch a suspect who set a man's $36,000 on fire.
Glendale Police report that on Feb. 7 they received a call regarding a vehicle fire near 51st Avenue and Bethany Home Road.
Police say a witness chased down and was holding the suspect who started the fire. Police found 18-year-old Juan Carlos Pina Merlos with burn marks on his hands and clothing. He also smelled of gasoline, officials said.
Merlos reportedly told police that he was hired by 19-year-old Tommy Acosta to take the car and burn it. Acosta was apparently struggling with the car payments on the $36,000 car.
He was allegedly going to pay Merlos with part of the insurance money. Acosta also allegedly filed a fake, stolen vehicle report with police.
They have both been charged with arson and false reporting.
