An ex-convict was arrested shortly after he allegedly set on fire a man outside a store in Garapan Saturday morning.
Defendant Alfonso Ramon, 31, allegedly suspected that the victim is working for the Drug Enforcement Administration and responsible for having him arrested for selling marijuana.
The victim suffered second degree burns on the right arm, shoulder, back, and back of the neck. The left leg received burns to include a portion of the right foot just below the ankle. He is being treated at the Commonwealth Health Center.
Ramon was brought to the Superior Court yesterday on charges of attempted murder, assault and battery, aggravated assault and battery, and disturbing the peace.
Associate Judge Perry B. Inos said a $50,000 cash bail is appropriate.
Preliminary hearing will be on Aug. 27 at 9am.
Detective Jeffrey I. Norita stated in his report that he responded to CHC on Saturday at 7:40am to meet a police officer who investigated the incident.
Norita said prior to the incident, the victim was looking for his friend at Martha's Store in Garapan to borrow money on Saturday past 2am.
When the victim failed to locate his friend at the store he instead handed a note to the cashier. He asked the cashier to give the note to his friend.
Later that morning, the victim went back to Martha's Store and saw his friend, defendant Ramon, and another man drinking alcoholic beverage by a car in the parking lot of the store.
Ramon confronted the victim that he (victim) was working with DEA and got him arrested for selling marijuana.
The victim's friend asked why he (victim) has to borrow $30 from him when he already lent him $60 the first time.
Ramon got angry and told the victim to borrow money from the Chuukese that he hangs out with and to stop bothering the Palauans to borrow money.
Ramon threatened he would get gasoline and pour it on the victim's body and burn him.
The victim's friend instigated Ramon to burn him for hanging out with the Chuukese.
Ramon left and later returned with a tea bottle and a rolled napkin that was burning.
Ramon then splashed the contents of the tea bottle on the victim's feet, igniting fire at his feet.
Ramon then splashed the burning contents on the victim's face, but the victim blocked it with his saddle bag.
As a result, the victim's right shoulder and arm started to burn. The victim threw himself to the ground and managed to extinguish the fire.
The victim then called 911.
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