By Daniel Larios
Staff Writer

September 12, 2014 – A suspect arrested for allegedly setting fire to five cars at a popular Santa Monica BMW dealership Wednesday night was released from police custody Thursday morning.

With evidence indicating the unnamed transient was not the arsonist, the SMPD is instead looking for another possible suspect who “matches the general physical and clothing description consistent with witness accounts,” said Sgt. Rudy Camarena, the Police Department spokesman.

Officers released surveillance photos of the possible suspect, pictured below.

Picture provided by the SMPD.

The suspect was seen at 10:21 p.m. Wednesday at a gas station in the 1300 block of Santa Monica Boulevard purchasing $4 worth of gas in a red gas can.

Anyone with information concerning the suspect or the incident is encouraged to call the SMPD at (310) 458-8491.

At around 10:40 p.m., SMPD and fire officials received reports of several cars on fire at the BMW dealership on the corner of Santa Monica Boulevard and 12th Street.
 
“Four certified used vehicles were completely damaged and a remaining vehicle was partially damaged,” Camarena said.   “No homes or residences were in danger as the incident scene is on a commercial area. 

“Arson investigator stated that suspect used ‘ignitable liquid and open flame,’” he said.

When firefighters arrived, three of the cars were burning and they acted to prevent the fire from spreading to other vehicles on the lot, said SMFD Chief Mike McElvaney.

The BMW dealership estimated the loss at $250,000, not including sales commission and asking price for the vehicles.  The price tags for the sedans, listed for around $40,000, were reported to be the only items that survived the fire.

According to reports, witness Eliza McMillan said she saw a man pouring fluid, possibly gasoline, on the car.  He then lit the cars ablaze using a “bomb-type thing,” which was later identified as a Molotov cocktail.

"He doused all of the front vehicles," McMillan told NBC 4 News. "He looked back to make sure it was lit up, then he started running down the street."

Witnesses described the suspect to authorities as wearing a very dark outfit with a hoodie jacket and pointed investigators in the direction he fled, Camarena said.

A transient fitting the description was stopped by officers nearby and was arrested on suspicion of arson, but was later released.

There were also a number of smaller fires set nearby, although these have yet to be linked to the dealership incident.

This is not the first time that this specific dealership has been attacked. According to dealership owner Del Montell, a drifter poured acid on some vehicles several years ago.

The Santa Monica BMW dealership has been at its present location since 2000, but has been operating out of the bayside city for almost 32 years.

The investigation is being conducted jointly by SMPD and the Santa Monica Fire Department.

Anyone with information concerning the suspect or the incident is encouraged to call the SMPD at (310) 458-8491.