Phoenix police looking for attempted arsonists, hit-and-run driver
Jul 11, 2016, 5:00 AM
(Silent Witness Photo)
(Silent Witness Photo)
Two wannabe arsonists nearly ended up char-grilled themselves.
It was Feb. 3, 2012, just before 4 a.m. at the Burger Shoppe at 35th Avenue and Thomas Road.
Phoenix Police Sgt. Darren Burch said these guys were trying to throw 20 gallon cans of gas onto the roof of the burger joint.
“But their inept ability was clearly seen in a surveillance video,” he said. “You can clearly see these suspects trying to throw gas cans up onto a two-story roof. The cans go up and they come right back down on them.”
Even more dumb, the now gasoline-drenched suspects had stuffed improvised wicks into the cans and they were lit.
“They could have lit themselves on fire – let alone the store,” Burch said.
They were unsuccessful this time, but they could get it right the next time if they’re not caught first.
Our next unsolved crime happened later that week on the other side of town.
It was about 7 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 10, 2012, when 56-year-old Martha Sanchez was crossing Indian School Road at 28th Street.
She was hit by a dark-colored, westbound sedan.
Burch said the vehicle never stopped and continued to drive away.
“Martha was severely injured and taken to the hospital where she later died,” he said.
