Police: Man Abducted At Gunpoint, Set On Fire On His Way Home From Work
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Police say a man was abducted at gunpoint and set on fire on his way home from work in the Olney section of Philadelphia.
It happened around 5:40 a.m. Monday when authorities say a 34-year-old man was attacked by three men at Benner Street and Harbison Avenue.
The suspects then allegedly drove the victim in his own car to the 5400 block of Westford Road. They tied the man's hands together, poured gasoline on him and the vehicle and set it on fire.
The victim was taken to Temple University Hospital and is listed in critical condition, suffering from severe burns to his lower body.
Authorities say that after the abduction, the three suspects used the victim's cellphone and demanded $10,000 from his family.
"They communicated with them for several hours and they may have called the police at some point in time," said Philadelphia Police Capt. Mark Burgmann.
Police believe the suspects and victim knew each other.
"It's pretty horrible. I can tell you it's a horrific crime and it seems very personal. All three, we're hearing, were armed with guns, but they used fire as a weapon. Seems pretty personal to me," said Burgmann.
No arrests have been made.
Anyone with any information is asked to call police at 215-686-TIPS.
