Miami Police Searching For Man In Car Dealership Arson Attack

MIAMI (CBSMiami) - Miami police are actively searching for a man who they said intentionally set fire to several cars at a dealership on Tuesday.

Investigators know who they are looking for, they said he's a known criminal in the area. They said surveillance video helped them identify the man.

"From there they were able to look at the mannerisms, the way this person was dressed, and they saw enough to know 'okay, this is the person we're looking for'," said police Officer Mike Vega.

Surveillance video of the arson attack on Tuesday shows the man walking around cars at Magic City Auto on 8th Street moments before several cars go up in flames.

"We know for sure that this was an arson. We know that he poured some accelerant to bring up a fire and then started the fire on these vehicles," said Vega.

Miami firefighters said three cars caught fire and a fourth car was damaged by the heat.

A manager at the dealership in Little Havana estimated the fire caused $60,000 in damage.

"We're a local business, we're a family owned business, we help the community. We've never had any issues with anybody," said Luis Olivares, who owns the car dealership. "I don't know why. We're going to have to find out."

Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (305) 471-TIPS (8477).