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JSO investigating arson case after two Mercedes Benz sedans torched outside apartment complex

JSO is investigating an arson case after two Mercedes Benz vehicles were torched Friday at an apartment complex.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- JSO is investigating an arson case after two Mercedes Benz vehicles were torched Friday at an apartment complex.

The incident occurred at the Cape House apartments on Hodges Boulevard around 3:30 a.m.

According to a JSO report of the incident, a woman called police saying she saw a man between the two vehicles trying to light a fire. The woman said the man ran off once the fire started.

Police found a lighter, a gas nozzle and a rag in the parking lot near the vehicles but the man was no where to be found.

The cars' owner, Ahmad Alghamdi, said the two cars were destined for new owners in his native Dubai.

“That’s how we make business. We buy cars from here, we sent it to there," Mustafa Mukhtar, a friend of Alghamdi's, said.

Mukhtar said the loss is about $240,000.

They both believe a former business partner is responsible.

Alghamdi says he severed ties with the man, who we’re not naming because he hasn’t been charged, two to three months ago. The two men said the former business partner has since made threats against Alghamdi.

“He was saying ‘oh I’m gonna do this to him, oh I’m gonna do this to Ahmad, if I see him I’ll do this to him…’ it was all kind of crappy things," Mukktar said. "Just a person that is mad.”

Alghamdi told First Coast News he told JSO about the former business partner after the incident.

The state fire marshal has positively confirmed this to be an arson case.

Staff at the apartment complex told First Coast News they are reviewing surveillance video, but would not release it. They said they are cooperating with the investigation.

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