The 37-year-old man accused in a string of crimes, including breaking into his estranged wife's home and attacking her and a friend and trying to light three Inland Empire homes on fire, was still at large Thursday.
The crime series allegedly began two days ago when Matthew Rice broke into his wife's home in the 8000 block of Jamestown Circle shortly before midnight Tuesday, according to the Fontana Police Department.
That's when he allegedly assaulted her and Robert Ropoza, her friend, while armed with a shotgun. He was disarmed before fleeing the home, police said.
Investigators also believe Rice returned to the home on Wednesday to try and start a fire; he was unsuccessful, but did flood the home. He also may have stolen a vehicle, officials said.
Ropoza later learned someone tried to set his home on fire, and a third arson incident was discovered at a Rancho Cucamonga home belonging to one of Rice's estranged in-laws.
Ropoza told KTLA he and the Rice's estranged wife have been on edge knowing their alleged attacker remained on the loose.
"We don’t really know how to conduct our day-to-day," he said. "We’re looking over our shoulders. It’s just the uncertainty of not knowing where he’s at."
Rice's mother-in-law said he has a distinctive tattoo of a black ribbon on right forearm that she hopes will help identify him.
Rice is possibly driving a 2014 white Chevy Cruze with a California license plate No. 7HGK307, police said. He is a resident of Santa Barbara.
Anyone who has any information about his whereabouts is urged to call 909-350-7700.
from KTLA http://ift.tt/2jxenzg
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