Man Charged with Setting Homeless Woman on Fire

Doused her with rubbing alcohol

Prosecutors on Monday charged a man suspected of setting a homeless woman on fire in Van Nuys with attempted murder.

Dennis Petillo, 24, of Van Nuys is accused of dousing the homeless woman with rubbing alcohol while she slept on a bus bench and setting her ablaze early Thursday near Van Nuys Boulevard and Sherman Way.

He is also charged with aggravated mayhem, said the Los Angeles County district attorney's office in a statement. Prosecutors are requesting that Petillo's bail be set at $1 million.