Holly MatkinSutter County, CA – A good Samaritan who stopped to help a woman after she flagged him down ended up zip-tied and set on fire on the side of the road last week, according to police.
The Sutter County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO) received a call from a 33-year-old man at approximately 10:55 p.m. on Dec. 7 saying that his vehicle had been stolen near the area of South George Washington Boulevard and Hutchinson Road, KCRA reported.
Deputies said they arrived at the scene to find the man had been assaulted, bound with zip-ties, and set on fire.
The victim was transported to a local hospital for treatment.
He later told SCSO deputies that he was driving down the road approximately 10 miles southwest of Yuba City when he was flagged down by a woman who was acting as if her black SUV was stuck or broken down on the side of the roadway, KCRA reported.
The good Samaritan pulled over and got out of his vehicle to help, at which point two men stepped out of the SUV.
The victim said one of the two men was holding a knife, and the other was carrying what appeared to be a gun, KCRA reported.
The two men proceeded to zip-tie his legs and threw gasoline on him, lighting him on fire before they all sped off with his vehicle and wallet, according to the SCSO.
The victim said he was able to put the flames out by rolling around on the ground.
Details regarding the extent of his injuries were not immediately released.
The SCSO later found the victim’s abandoned vehicle several miles away, KSWB reported.
A replica firearm was also recovered nearby, according to the sheriff’s office.
Investigators said the victim described all three suspects as appearing to be of Middle Eastern descent, KSWB reported.
The SCSO urged anyone with any information about the incident to contact their office immediately.
