Video shows man setting 6 cars on fire in the Bronx, police say

THE BRONX, N.Y. (PIX11) -- Authorities in the Bronx are on the hunt for a man accused of intentionally setting on fire a half dozen vehicles.

Surveillance video showed the suspect sitting on a chair and what appears to be the man pouring gas on a car and lighting it up.

Jhan Carlos said in Spanish that he is now without a job. He is an Uber driver, and his car is one of the six vehicles set on fire by a man overnight in the Bronx.

“A man just going around and setting everyone’s car on fire. That is insane,” exclaimed area resident Michel Oviedo.

Surveillance video showed the suspect sitting in front of a barbershop minutes before burning the vehicles. The suspect was seen rolling what appeared to be paper and grabbing a gas can.

“What went through this person’s mind to turn on this fire and damage all these cars?” said Tahmina, who also lives in the neighborhood.

That is the question many residents in this Soundview neighborhood had Tuesday evening, including Morel, who told PIX11 News he rushed out to the chaotic scene on Rosedale Avenue and East 174th Street at around 2:20 a.m. after his uncle woke him up.

“Before, they were just stealing mirrors, but now this is just straight-up vandalism—blowing up your car without cause—that just makes no sense. I'm actually very confused,” said Oviedo.

But it wasn’t just cars. The arsonist was also caught on security cameras spreading gas and lighting up the front of an apartment building. According to police, a two-month-old baby was taken to Jacobi Hospital for smoke inhalation. He is in stable condition.

Morel said he is now in limbo, not knowing how to provide for his wife and son without his car. Most of his documents, an iPad used for work, and 800 dollars in cash were torched.