Calif. man arrested in possible hate crime after allegedly trying to set man on fire

WESTMINSTER, Calif. (TCD) -- A 36-year-old man was arrested and charged after allegedly trying to set a man on fire in a possible hate crime.

According to a news release from the Westminster Police Department, on Wednesday, Sept. 21, at approximately 11:45 a.m., officers responded to a location near McFadden Avenue and Oakcliff Drive to a report of an assault. At the scene, authorities reportedly found the suspect, Danh Nguyen, off Bushard Street and Westminster Avenue.

Police said they pursued Nguyen for a short while after he failed to yield, and the suspect eventually hit a small planter wall. Nguyen was reportedly taken into custody without further incident.

Upon further investigation, police learned Nguyen approached a victim in his car and "made a derogatory comment towards Hispanics." Nguyen allegedly poured gasoline on the victim and tried to light him on fire, but the victim drove away. He did not sustain any injuries.

According to police, "Nguyen fled the scene in a vehicle he did not have permission to have."

Nguyen was eventually arrested and booked into the Orange County Jail for attempted murder, attempted arson, and civil rights violations, police said.

Prior to the incident, the victim reportedly did not know the suspect.

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