Police: Man arrested for setting Lakeland woman on fire

Police say the 26 year-old woman, who has not been identified, was burned at a home on Stella Avenue, in Lakeland, around 7:30 Friday night. They arrested Joshua Kimbrough in connection to the crime. 

 

Micheal Barnes was working on his car, when he says he saw the woman running from across the street. Barnes said, "She started hollering. I look up and she was completely in flames and was running towards us."

 

Barnes says his instincts kicked in immediately and he tried his best to put the flames out. Barnes said, "The grass was kind of damp. So we had to roll and smother it out. We got a blanket and put it over her. The neighbors over here helped and we sat there and it started to drizzle. So we held a blanket over her so water wouldn't hit."

 

Roy Gulley lives down the street and knows the couple. He says he's repeatedly seen them get physical. Gulley said,  "I done reached out to them like, I''ve even stopped him you know from jumping on her like, 'hey man you know. Don't do that. Especially around here you know. That's your girl.'"

 

Police say burning the woman was the start of Kimbrough's crime spree. They say he carjacked someone at the Fast Stop store, on 820 East Memorial, then burglarized a home on the 900 block of Fenton Lane. They say he stole credit cards and used them at the Exxon-Mobile station, on 3437 Highway 98 North.

 

Police say they arrested Kimbrough Saturday morning at a home in North Lakeland. They say he resisted arrest and two k-9's bit him. He was treated for his injuries.

 

Kimbrough is being held in the Polk County Jail and is scheduled to make his first court appearance Sunday.

 

Police say the victim is listed in critical condition at a hospital.