TIJUANA : Man Who Set Police Afire Faces 25 Years
An Orange County man accused of torching a Tijuana police car and two policemen who were inside was indicted by a federal grand jury in San Diego and faces 25 years in prison, authorities announced Wednesday.
In addition, U.S. prosecutors said John M. Racich may be extradited to Mexico to face additional charges.
Racich, 38, of Garden Grove, was arrested Nov. 4 at the San Ysidro Port of Entry by U.S. officials. He fled to the United States in his pickup truck, dodging gunfire from Mexican police.
He told U.S. authorities that Tijuana police had extorted about $2,000 from him. Racich admitted to U.S. officials that he set fire to the Tijuana police car and the two officers inside by splashing them with gasoline and throwing a cigarette lighter at them, prosecutors said.
Racich was indicted on one count each of unlawfully taking a pistol into Mexico, possessing two incendiary devices, and bringing an illegal incendiary device into the United States.
He is being held at the Metropolitan Correctional Center without bail. He was indicted Nov. 10, but the indictment was kept secret until Wednesday.
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