PEMBROKE PINES, FLA. (WSVN) - A Pembroke Pines woman is speaking out after a man was caught on camera setting her car on fire in her driveway.
Just before 1 a.m. on Thursday, the man was seen on doorbell surveillance video outside of Patricia Lordi’s home in the area of Northwest 15th Court and 79th Avenue.
The man, who wore a hoodie, could be seen walking around the Cadillac while pouring some kind of liquid on it.
“Nonchalant, putting gasoline all over my car,” said Lordi.
Seconds later, the car ignited. The man took off running to a nearby vehicle as the flames spread.
The big questions, Lordi said, are who torched her car and why.
“I don’t have any enemies that would do something like this,” said Lordi. “It’s mind-blowing, honestly.”
Lordi, a mother and grandmother, wiped away tears as she looked at her Cadillac’s charred remains.
“I don’t believe what I’m seeing,” she said.
Lordi said she was asleep in her front bedroom when her daughter came in screaming.
“She said, ‘The car is on fire,'” said Lordi as tears streamed down her face, “and I looked out the window and I couldn’t believe it.”
A neighbor recorded video of the fully engulfed Cadillac from across the street.
Fortunately, firefighters prevented the fire from spreading to the house next to where the vehicle was parked.
Lordi said she keeps looking at the feed from the Ring doorbell, checking if someone is outside, worrying something else might happen.
“We kept looking at videos to see if prior to, maybe someone was driving around, and we didn’t notice anything,” said Lordi. “I don’t know if it was someone that was here a day or two ago driving around.”
Lordi said her car insurance had recently lapsed, so the Cadillac was not covered.
Pembroke Pines Police and Fire Rescue are currently investigating.
While she figures out how she’s going to replace her ride, Lordi hopes someone watching will help police figure out who is the man behind this act of arson.
“What possessed whoever did this to do this? Why?” she said. “I can’t even begin to imagine why.”
Lordi’s family has set up a GoFundMe page to help with the financial burden, which can be found here. https://www.gofundme.com/f/9r6ev2-help-me-get-a-car
If you have any information on this act of arson, call Broward County Crime Stoppers at 954-493-TIPS. Remember, you can always remain anonymous, and you may be eligible for a $3,000 reward.
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