MIAMI – Police have identified the suspect accused of tossing gasoline on a Port St. Lucie bar bouncer and then setting him on fire.
Port St. Lucie police said Ivan Rodriguez is wanted on a charge of aggravated battery. He is suspected of setting fire on the bouncer Sunday night outside Neely's Grog House.
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Sgt. Frank Sabol said Rodriguez had been paying with bounced checks and was told that he would have to pay with cash or a debit card. Unable to pay, Rodriguez tried to earn money by challenging other patrons at the pool tables, so the bouncer kicked him out, Sabol said.
Sabol said Rodriguez returned with a cup of gasoline and threw it on the bouncer, who was standing by the door.
The bouncer and a patron chased Rodriguez, tackling him in the parking lot.
Sabol said Rodriguez then used a lighter to set the bouncer on fire.
The bouncer was taken to a hospital with severe burns. He was later flown to the burn center at Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami.
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