Alleged arsonist lit sleeping homeless man on fire, took pictures
GLENDALE, CA — A 32-year-old man allegedly intentionally lit the cardboard covering a sleeping homeless man on fire, police said Tuesday.
The homeless man woke up to the smell of smoke on Sept. 12 around 1:20 a.m., Glendale police said. He tried to douse the flames with a water bottle, but he was unsuccessful.
Later that day, detectives found video surveillance that shows a man starting the fire and taking pictures.
Police identified the man in the video as Richard Smallets. They arrested him on a charge of attempted murder.
Smallets remains in custody. His bail was set at $1,000,000.
Photo Credit: Glendale Police Department