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Dec. 07--STAMFORD -- Police say that arson was the cause of luxury car fire next to a municipal park in the northeast corner of the city early Monday morning.
Stamford Police Sgt. Peter DiSpagna said the vehicle had been stolen in Stamford just a few hours before it was found fully engulfed in flames in the woods next to Dorothy Heroy Park on Riding Stable Lane at 1:57 a.m. Monday. DiSpagna said a flammable substance was used.
"It was definitely arson," he said of the 2007 BMW 730iL, worth about $45,000. "Someone intentionally lit that car on fire. It was totally burnt, to where the fire melted the front bumper off the car."
DiSpagna said police are still trying to determine the motive for buring the vehicle, which was purchased by the current owner in 2009 for $62,000. DiSpagna said the owner was away for the weekend and did not realize the car had been stolen. The car was last seen at the owner's property earlier Sunday evening, diSpagna said.
A resident of Riding Stable Lane called 911 just before 2 a.m. Monday to report a brush fire, said Long Ridge Fire Company President Daniel Dauplaise, who was the first firefighter on scene.
The car had been pulled into the woods next to the remote park, Dauplaise said.
The fire was put out by Long Ridge firefighters. Dauplaise said the vehicle was completely destroyed.
Stamford Police Capt. Richard Conklin said it was not the first time criminals have used the remote area in such a manner.
