Eleanor Crawford, Florida woman sets woman on fire at St Petersburg gas station refusing to hand over cash while pumping gas into her car leading to serious injuries. Police say the victim and the stranger didn’t know each other as suspect now faces attempted murder and arson charges. No known motive.
A Florida woman is accused of setting a woman on fire at a St Petersburg gas station after she refused to hand over some ‘cash’ while pumping gas into her car.
Eleanor Crawford, 41, is alleged to have walked up to the victim, also a 41-year-old woman at the Mobil Gas Station at 101 40th Avenue North on Thursday just on 8 p.m., September 10, according to the St. Petersburg Police Department.
Cops said Crawford walked up to the victim as she was pumping gas into her Volvo SUV and asked to use her phone. The victim let her, and then police say the suspect asked her for money, WFLA reported.
Woman set on fire by stranger at St Pete gas station
The victim replied no, Crawford in turn set the gas nozzle on fire with a lighter. Police said the woman’s car was engulfed in flames leading to the driver being seriously injured and left with second degree burns on her arms and back. The victim was taken to Tampa General Hospital according to a Facebook release from the St Petersburg Police Department.
A witness at the scene, Scotty Gramling described the scene as a fireball.
Gramling ran over, helped the victim get into his truck and called 911 according to FOX13.
Crawford was arrested a couple of blocks away within 20 minutes of the incident.
Prior criminal history but no known motive
Police say Crawford has an extensive record, including several drug and alcohol charges.
‘I don’t know if alcohol and drugs were involved, but indicative of her history, there might’ve been something that diminished capacity there,’ Assistant Police Chief Mike Kovacsev said. “Why would she even do something like this.”
‘It’s kind of a unique case because you don’t see anything like this, especially something that results in such horrific burns. But they went out there, they worked with the fire department, and luckily they were able to get her stabilized, and she’s going to make it,’ Kovacsev said.
Crawford is facing attempted felony murder and arson charges.
Investigators confirmed that the suspect and the victim had no prior relationship. Police have not determined a motive for the attack as the investigation continues.
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