Waukesha man charged with firebombing vehicle

Published on: 7/23/2013

Leif Erickson, 19, of Waukesha was charged Tuesday, July 16 in Waukesha County Circuit Court with allegedly firebombing a woman's car outside his home at 501 Barney St.

According to the criminal complaint:

Waukesha City Police were dispatched around 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 27 to 504 Barney St. after receiving reports of a vehicle on fire.

Police found a 2000 Dodge Caravan partially on fire with a broken passenger side window. A beer bottle reeking of gasoline was found nearby, along with a charred T-shirt.

The vehicle's owner told police she had no clue why her vehicle was targeted.

On May 14, an officer made contact with Samantha Moon, who said she held a small get together at her house across the street the day of the incident. She said her roommate, Erickson, had said during the party that he was bored and wanted to 'Molotov cocktail' something.

A Molotov cocktail, also known as a fire or petrol bomb, is a generic name for a bottle-based incendiary device.

Moon said Erickson left the party holding a beer bottle with a piece of cloth coming out of it. A short time later, she heard a loud crash and Erickson came running back to the yard. He allegedly told everyone to get their stories straight in case the cops came, Moon said.

Several other people at the party echoed Moon's account, with one witness saying he allegedly saw Erickson throw the makeshift bomb at the rear window of the van.

Erickson, who was charged with manufacturing a Molotov cocktail and criminal damage to property, chose not to make a statement to police.

He could face almost seven years in prison and $20,000 in fines if convicted.

His preliminary hearing is set for July 26.