Suspect in Long Beach firebomb attack arrested

LONG BEACH, Calif. (KABC) -- Police on Wednesday arrested a suspected gang member accused of attacking another man with a firebomb in Long Beach.

The victim was burned when a suspect threw a Molotov cocktail at him, setting him on fire Friday.

The 54-year-old victim was sitting outside a market waiting for his father inside on PCH near Pacific Avenue at about 7 p.m. Friday.

"The suspect came up from an adjacent alleyway and threw a bottle of a flammable liquid," said Long Beach Police Sgt. Aaron Eaton. "It landed at the feet of the victim and it exploded."

Good Samaritans used blankets and jackets to put out the flames. The victim was hospitalized with burns on his body in critical condition. He remained hospitalized Wednesday in critical but stable condition.

In a news conference Wednesday, police said they arrested 27-year-old Long Beach resident Jacob Lagarde, who is described as a career criminal. A motive for the attack was not determined. Police said a tip from the public led to the suspect's arrest. According to investigators, the criminal gang he associates with is not from Long Beach.

Tips led detectives to a residential complex on the 7800 block of East Spring Street, where Lagarde was arrested Tuesday. He was booked for attempted murder, mayhem, possession of an explosive, arson causing great bodily injury and a probation violation. He was held at Long Beach City Jail without bail.

Police were seeking more witnesses to the crime. Anyone with information related to the case should contact the Long Beach Police Arson Hotline at (562) 570-2582.

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