A man was arrested Sunday in connection with setting a another man on fire earlier this weekend, Santa Paula Police said.
The incident occurred about 6:50 p.m. Saturday in the 100 block of 10th Street and the Santa Paula Fire Department responded.
Investigators determined that the victim was laying on a bench when the suspect battered the victim, poured a flammable substance on the victim and set him on fire. The victim suffered burns on 50 percent of his body and is in critical condition, officials said.
The suspect was last seen riding a bicycle heading east on Main Street.
Officials arrested Jorge Chavez, 35 in connection with the crime. Santa Paula Police Chief Steven McLean described the suspect as a transient.
Chavez was eventually booked on suspicion of attempted murder, mayhem, assault with a caustic chemical and causing great bodily harm to a person.
McLean said investigators are working to gather more information on the victim. He added that it is unclear if the two men know each other and what the motive might have been.
Anyone with additional information about the incident or Chavez can call Detective Randy Haumann at 805-525-4474 x 211.