Los AngelesVideoCrime

Homeless Woman Set On Fire While Sleeping On Bench In Van Nuys, Calif. (VIDEO)

Homeless Woman Set On Fire While Sleeping
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A homeless woman is fighting for her life after being set on fire while sleeping on a bus bench in Van Nuys, Calif.

The horrific crime occurred at about 1 a.m. Thursday when the suspect, believed to be 28 years old, walked into a Walgreens store and bought alcohol, KTLA reports. He then poured alcohol on the woman, lit a match to set her on fire, and ran.

But a witness, Erickson Ipina, was able to chase him down.

"I was following him and then I pulled out my cellphone. I called 911 and he just turned back on me and pulled out a knife, and he told me, 'Stop following me or I will cut you,'" Ipina told ABC.

But Ipina continued to follow the suspect until police arrested him. Investigators are trying to determine the suspect's motive.

The victim, a 67-year-old homeless woman, is in the hospital with extremely severe burns, and it is not clear if she will survive.

Last week, a 55-year-old man was set on fire as he slept outside a donut shop in southern LA County, the Associated Press reports. No suspects were arrested for that incident.

Between Dec. 2011 and Dec. 2012, four homeless men in LA were murdered on individual occasions. The suspect, Itzcoatl Ocampo, who was discharged from the Marines in 2010, is awaiting trial as the suspect in the murders.

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Before You Go

Serial Killer in the OC
Donny Hopkins(01 of29)
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Donny Hopkins, 32, right, a forklift driver who helped chase down a suspect in a string of homeless killings after seeing one of the victims stabbed to death receives a $5,000 reward from the Association of Orange County Deputy Sheriffs's president Tom Dominguez Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2012. Prosecutors have charged 23-year-old Itzcoatl Ocampo, a former Marine, and a Iraq war veteran with the murders of four homeless men in a nearly month-long spree that prompted police in Orange County to urge the homeless to seek shelter indoors. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)
Melinda Savitt & Donny Hopkins(02 of29)
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Forklift driver Donny Hopkins, 32, right, who helped chase down a suspect in a string of homeless killings after seeing one of the victims stabbed to death, gets a hug from resident Melinda Savitt. Hopkins received a $5,000 reward Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2012, from the Association of Orange County Deputy Sheriffs for information leading to the capture of the killer in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)
Itzcoatl Ocampo(03 of29)
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This photo provided by the Anaheim Police Dept. shows Itzcoatl Ocampo. Investigators are "extremely confident" that Ocampo a man in their custody is responsible for all four recent killings of homeless men in Orange County, Anaheim Police Chief John Welter said Saturday, Jan. 14, 2012. (AP Photo/Anaheim Police Dept.)
Refugio Ocampo(04 of29)
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Refugio Ocampo, 49, father of Itzcoatl Ocampo, the man suspected of killing homeless men in Southern California, talks about his son in Fullerton, Calif., Sunday, Jan. 15, 2012. Refugio is himself homeless and said that his son came back a changed man after serving with the Marines in Iraq, expressing disillusionment and becoming ever darker as he struggled to find his way as a civilian. (AP Photo/Reed Saxon)
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Anaheim police chief John Welter speaks at the podium before other several police chiefs for a news conference to announce the arrest of Itzcoatl Ocampo as the serial killer of four homeless men, the latest Friday night, where Ocampo was caught in Anaheim, Calif., Saturday, Jan. 14, 2012. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo)
Juan Martinez(06 of29)
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Juan Martinez, right, eats his dinner in a parking lot in Santa Ana , Calif., Thursday, Jan. 5, 2012. Homeless people in Orange County are put on alert by police and advocates concerned that they're the target of a serial killer who has already slain three homeless men. Police said an attacker has stabbed three homeless people to death in north Orange County. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
(07 of29)
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A homeless man, who declined to give his name, cleans his shoes in Santa Ana, Calif., Thursday, Jan. 5, 2012. Homeless people in Orange County are put on alert by police and advocates concerned that they're the target of a serial killer who has already slain three homeless men. Police said an attacker has stabbed three homeless people to death in north Orange County. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
(08 of29)
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A homeless man gather his belongings in Santa Ana , Calif., Thursday, Jan. 5, 2012. Homeless people in Orange County are put on alert by police and advocates concerned that they're the target of a serial killer who has already slain three homeless men. Police said an attacker has stabbed three homeless people to death in north Orange County. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
(09 of29)
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Homeless people wait in line to pick up hygiene kits in Santa Ana , Calif., Thursday, Jan. 5, 2012. Homeless people in Orange County are put on alert by police and advocates concerned that they're the target of a serial killer who has already slain three homeless men. Police said an attacker has stabbed three homeless people to death in north Orange County. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
(10 of29)
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A pair of shoes belonging to a homeless man is seen in a parking lot in Santa Ana , Calif., Thursday, Jan. 5, 2012. Homeless people in Orange County are put on alert by police and advocates concerned that they're the target of a serial killer who has already slain three homeless men. Police said an attacker has stabbed three homeless people to death in north Orange County. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
(11 of29)
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This image taken from surveillance video at a Placentia, Calif. strip mall released by the Anaheim police Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2012 shows a person wearing a black hooded sweatshirt, top, approaching 53-year-old homeless man James McGillivray. McGillivray was killed at the strip mall by someone authorities believe is a serial killer that was also responsible for the slayings of two other middle-aged homeless men who were stabbed to death last month. The Homeless Homicide Investigative task force believes the person in the black sweatshirt is the main suspect in the stabbings. (AP Photo/Anaheim Police via Orange County Register)
(12 of29)
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This image taken from surveillance video at a Placentia, Calif. strip mall released by the Anaheim police Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2012 shows 53-year-old homeless man James McGillivray. McGillivray was killed at the strip mall by someone authorities believe is a serial killer that was also responsible for the slayings of two other middle-aged homeless men who were stabbed to death last month. (AP Photo/Anaheim Police via Orange County Register)
(13 of29)
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Police investigators work the scene where a homeless man was found dead next to trucks parked at a tire shop, in the Orange County city of Santa Ana, Calif., Monday, Jan. 9, 2012. Investigators say they're still deciding whether this death is the work of a serial killer who has already slain three homeless men. Santa Ana police Cpl. Anthony Bertagna says there isn't enough information to connect the killings yet, cautioning that the death may have been from natural causes. An autopsy is scheduled for some time Tuesday to determine cause of death. Three homeless men have been found stabbed to death in north Orange County since Dec. 21. (AP Photo/Reed Saxon)
(14 of29)
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In this photo made Monday, Jan. 9, 2012, Dave Eagle, left, leader of the Inland Empire branch of the Guardian Angels, speaks about an apparent serial killer preying on the homeless, to people people waiting for lunch at Mary's Kitchen, a non-profit, volunteer organization that provides food and services to the homeless of Orange County, in the city of Orange, Calif. Three homeless men have been found stabbed to death in north Orange County since Dec. 21. (AP Photo/Reed Saxon)
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In this photo made Monday, Jan. 9, 2012, Dave Eagle, leader of the Inland Empire branch of the Guardian Angels, speaks about an apparent serial killer preying on the homeless, to people waiting for lunch at Mary's Kitchen, a non-profit, volunteer organization that provides food and services to the homeless of Orange County, in the city of Orange, Calif. Three homeless men have been found stabbed to death in north Orange County since Dec. 21. (AP Photo/Reed Saxon)
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In this photo made Monday, Jan. 9, 2012, Guardian Angels, from left, Ehren Muller, Dave Eagle and Erick Wong walk the Santa Ana River bed, site of some homeless encampments, near Angels Stadiun of Anaheim, left rear, in anaheim, Calif. Three homeless men have been found stabbed to death in north Orange County since Dec. 21. (AP Photo/Reed Saxon)
(17 of29)
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In this photo made Monday, Jan. 9, 2012, Faith Reynolds, 28, with her daughter Charity, 3 months, talks about being homeless at Mary's Kitchen, a non-profit, volunteer organization that provides food and services to the homeless of Orange County, in the city of Orange, Calif. Three homeless men have been found stabbed to death in north Orange County since Dec. 21. (AP Photo/Reed Saxon)
(18 of29)
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In this photo made Monday, Jan. 9, 2012, Clifton Hill, 62, an unemployed construction worker, talks about being homeless at Mary's Kitchen, a non-profit, volunteer organization that provides food and services to the homeless of Orange County, in the city of Orange, Calif. Three homeless men have been found stabbed to death in north Orange County since Dec. 21. (AP Photo/Reed Saxon)
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In this photo made Monday, Jan. 9, 2012, Faith Reynolds, 28, talks about being homeless at Mary's Kitchen, a non-profit, volunteer organization that provides food and services to the homeless of Orange County, in the city of Orange, Calif. Three homeless men have been found stabbed to death in north Orange County since Dec. 21. (AP Photo/Reed Saxon)
(20 of29)
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Police investigators work the scene where a homeless man was found dead next to trucks parked at a tire shop, in the Orange County city of Santa Ana, Calif., Monday, Jan. 9, 2012. Investigators say they're still deciding whether this death is the work of a serial killer who has already slain three homeless men. Santa Ana police Cpl. Anthony Bertagna says there isn't enough information to connect the killings yet, cautioning that the death may have been from natural causes. An autopsy is scheduled for some time Tuesday to determine cause of death. Three homeless men have been found stabbed to death in north Orange County since Dec. 21. (AP Photo/Reed Saxon)
(21 of29)
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Police investigators work the scene where a homeless man was found dead next to trucks parked at a tire shop, behind the screen, in the Orange County city of Santa Ana, Calif., Monday, Jan. 9, 2012. Investigators say they're still deciding whether this death is the work of a serial killer who has already slain three homeless men. Santa Ana police Cpl. Anthony Bertagna says there isn't enough information to connect the killings yet, cautioning that the death may have been from natural causes. An autopsy is scheduled for some time Tuesday to determine cause of death. Three homeless men have been found stabbed to death in north Orange County since Dec. 21. (AP Photo/Reed Saxon)
(22 of29)
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Police investigators work the scene where a homeless man was found dead next to trucks parked at a tire shop, in the Orange County city of Santa Ana, Calif., Monday, Jan. 9, 2012. Investigators say they're still deciding whether this death is the work of a serial killer who has already slain three homeless men. Santa Ana police Cpl. Anthony Bertagna says there isn't enough information to connect the killings yet, cautioning that the death may have been from natural causes. An autopsy is scheduled for some time Tuesday to determine cause of death. Three homeless men have been found stabbed to death in north Orange County since Dec. 21. (AP Photo/Reed Saxon)
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Larry Pinson, second from left, of Yorba Linda, is consoled, as is Krista Schegetz, right, of Anaheim, at a makeshift memorial after finding out the name of the homeless man that was killed Friday night outside a fast-food restaurant in Anaheim, Calif., Saturday, Jan. 14, 2012. Police arrested a suspect in connection with the death. The death follows reports of the earlier stabbing deaths of three homeless men in north Orange County since Dec. 21. Police suspect all three were victims of a serial killer. It was not known if the latest death was connected to the other killings. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo)
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Tim Liverman of Anaheim pays his respects at a makeshift memorial site where a homeless man Liverman knew was killed Friday night outside a fast-food restaurant in Anaheim, Calif., Saturday, Jan. 14, 2012. Police arrested a suspect in connection with the death. The death follows reports of the earlier stabbing deaths of three homeless men in north Orange County since Dec. 21. Police suspect all three were victims of a serial killer. It was not known if the latest death was connected to the other killings. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo)
(25 of29)
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Tim Liverman of Anaheim pays his respects at a makeshift memorial site where a homeless man Liverman knew was killed Friday night outside a fast-food restaurant in Anaheim, Calif., Saturday, Jan. 14, 2012. Police arrested a suspect in connection with the death. The death follows reports of the earlier stabbing deaths of three homeless men in north Orange County since Dec. 21. Police suspect all three were victims of a serial killer. It was not known if the latest death was connected to the other killings. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo)
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Several people pay their respects at a makeshift memorial site where a homeless man was killed in Anaheim, Calif., Saturday, Jan. 14, 2012. Police arrested a suspect in connection with the death. The death follows reports of the earlier stabbing deaths of three homeless men in north Orange County since Dec. 21. Police suspect all three were victims of a serial killer. It was not known if the latest death was connected to the other killings. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo)
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Several people pay their respects at a makeshift memorial site where a homeless man was killed in Anaheim, Calif., Saturday, Jan. 14, 2012. Police arrested a suspect in connection with the death. The death follows reports of the earlier stabbing deaths of three homeless men in north Orange County since Dec. 21. Police suspect all three were victims of a serial killer. It was not known if the latest death was connected to the other killings. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo)
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Six-year-old Savanna Madrid, left, Chris Juarez, second from right and Dillon Ruiz, right, watch Yvonne Miranda place a candle at a makeshift memorial site where a homeless man they knew was killed Friday night outside a fast-food restaurant in Anaheim, Calif., Saturday, Jan. 14, 2012. Police arrested a suspect in connection with the death. The death follows reports of the earlier stabbing deaths of three homeless men in north Orange County since Dec. 21. Police suspect all three were victims of a serial killer. It was not known if the latest death was connected to the other killings. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo)
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Dillon Ruiz, left, and Chris Juarez of Anaheim pay their respects at a makeshift memorial site where a homeless man was killed Friday night outside a fast-food restaurant in Anaheim, Calif., Saturday, Jan. 14, 2012. Police arrested a suspect in connection with the death. The death follows reports of the earlier stabbing deaths of three homeless men in north Orange County since Dec. 21. Police suspect all three were victims of a serial killer. It was not known if the latest death was connected to the other killings. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo)
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