Jacksonville man has suspicions about who torched luxury cars

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Police investigate an arson of vehicles burned early Friday morning at an apartment complex off Hodges Boulevard, but the owner thinks he may know who did it.

Jacksonville officers who responded to the fire at the Cape House Apartments about 3:30 a.m. found a lighter, a gas nozzle and a rag in the parking lot near the two 2015 Mercedes S-class vehicles burned. A 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee parked nearby was also damaged.

A woman told police she saw a man ducking beside the two cars and apparently attempting to start the fire. She said said the man ran off when she yelled at him.

The fires were so intense, parts of the car melted, the tires blown and the vehicles reduce to charred metal.

The State Fire Marshal has ruled the case an arson.

Ahmad Alghamdi, owns the two cars that appeared to be targeted, buys luxury vehicles and ships them overseas to places like Dubai and Saudi Arabia.

He doesn’t believe this was a hate crime, but it could be connected to a former business partner who had made recent threats to him.

"I respect the law and I tell the police it was this guy," Alghamdi said.

Alghamdi’s friend, Mustafa Mufhtar, who speaks better English, said the two cars were already sold and waiting to be shipped. He said the two cars together were worth about $240,000 and were not insured.

"We just want justice," Mufhtar said.


About the Author:

Jim Piggott is the reporter to count on when it comes to city government and how it will affect the community.