CUTLER BAY, Fla. – A man is facing a murder charge after police said they found the body of 39-year-old Igor Ernesto Ortiz inside an engulfed pickup truck in Cutler Bay Thursday afternoon.
First responders arrived at the scene located around Old Cutler Road and Southwest 92nd Avenue in Curler Bay at approximately 1:45 p.m. Thursday.
Authorities said a man, who they identified as 35-year-old Randall Lautzenheiser, was detained shortly after the fire was put out.
One witness, who asked not to be identified, told Local 10 News that he witnessed the entire incident.
“The were arguing, fighting..and then fire,” he said.
When police arrived at the scene, Lautzenheiser was found in the parking lot with burn marks on his forearms and no shirt on, and was taken into custody, according to his arrest report.
Lautzenheiser had been seen earlier in the day sitting inside the truck with the victim and the two were seen involved in a verbal altercation, according to police.
Lautzenheiser was also spotted by gas pumps at the Chevron filling up a small can of fuel and returning to the victim’s truck, the report said.
Another verbal argument was heard and a short time later the truck was seen engulfed in flames, and Lautzenheiser was seen running away from the truck, according to police.
When he was interviewed by investigators, Lautzenheiser told officers he went to the gas station, put $5 on the counter and bought a can of beer and gas, the report said.
Police said Laurzenheiser claimed Ortiz was inside the truck and smoking a cigarette and somehow the gas can ignited, the report stated.
Lautzenheiser was arrested Friday and booked into TGK where he is being held without bond.
He is facing one count each of first-degree murder and first-degree arson.