Police arrest man accused of torching girlfriend

Authorities arrested 22-year-old Dexter Oliver Monday night at an Oakland hotel on suspicion of attempting to burn his girlfriend to death in San Francisco’s Bayview neighborhood.

At about 12:15 p.m. on Sunday, Oliver allegedly threw flammable liquid on the victim, Starr Lamare, before lighting her on fire outside of a laundromat near Hollister Avenue and Jennings Street. Lamare, 25, was taken to St. Francis Hospital for the treatment of severe burns.

Anita Parker, the victim’s mother, told KTVU:

“[She has burns on] her face, hands, chest from the waist up. He was trying to kill her. He was trying to destroy my daughter.”

Early on Monday, Lamare’s family told KGO-TV that she was expected to survive but faced a long recovery. She will likely be hospitalized for several months and will require numerous reconstructive surgeries.

Lamare has three children. Her family fears her five-year-old son witnessed the torching, KGO reported.

Jolissa Craig, Lamare’s sister, told ABC 7 she hoped Oliver would be alive when police found him. Craig said:

“Death is too good for him. He needs to sit in jail and think about what he did.”

Oliver’s grandmother allegedly called Lamare’s mother Monday morning, defending her grandson against the claims. The Lamare family reported the call to police.

Oliver was taken into custody on suspicion of attempted murder and arson. The SFPD Special Investigations Division and US Marshal’s Service Task Force were tipped off to his whereabouts, according to KTVU.