Woman set on fire in LA as she sleeps on bench

  • Posted: Thursday, December 27, 2012 1:22 p.m.
    UPDATED: Thursday, December 27, 2012 1:23 p.m.
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A burned city bus bench seen in the Van Nuys section of Los Angeles on Thursday after police arrested a man for allegedly setting a 67-year-old woman on fire who was sleeping on the bus stop bench. AP Photo/Greg Risling

LOS ANGELES -- Los Angeles police have arrested a man for allegedly setting a 67-year-old woman on fire as she was sleeping on a bus bench.

Authorities say the man, who is in his 20s, was arrested early Thursday. His name was not immediately released.

Police say the attack occurred shortly after 1 a.m. outside a drug store. A witness said he saw a man come out of the store and pour something on the woman before striking a match and setting her ablaze.

The woman, who may be homeless, was taken to a hospital and listed in critical condition.

Last week, a 55-year-old man was set on fire as he slept outside a doughnut shop in southern Los Angeles County. No one has been arrested.

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