Security camera catches Kansas woman set former coworker’s house on fire
WESTWOOD, Kan. (KCTV) - Charges have been filed against a woman who was caught by security footage as she allegedly set a former coworker’s house on fire.
The Westwood, Kansas, Police Department says that around 6 p.m. on Friday, May 9, law enforcement officials were called to the area of W. 50th and State Line Rd. with reports of a house fire. A neighbor noticed the flames and called 911.
When first responders arrived, they said they found the homeowner was not there, however, they were able to review security footage and provide it to investigators. The video showed a white female with a glass bottle step out of a black sedan in the homeowner’s driveway.
The footage then revealed the woman to pour the liquid contents of the bottle around the windows, a pile of bricks and a trash can. She lit a piece of paper on fire to ignite the liquid accelerant.
Law enforcement officials noted that the window and its surrounding area immediately became engulfed in flames as the woman could be seen running back to the car and speeding off. The fire ultimately damaged both the inside and outside of the home before it was extinguished. No one was inside at the time of the blaze.
After the video was reviewed, investigators said the homeowner was able to identify the suspect as Ladan P. Richardson, a former coworker. Law enforcement officials were able to identify her through previous conversations with her.
At the time, Westwood Police noted that Richardson had been awaiting trial on four previous incidents of property damage and stalking. On Thursday, May 15, the case was finally presented to the Johnson County District Court, which issued a felony arrest warrant for arson.
Law enforcement officials said they were able to serve the warrant to Richardson on Friday, May 16, when she appeared on her previous charges. She was booked and remains behind bars on a $35,000 bond.
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