UPDATE: Louisiana State Fire Marshal's Office Spokeswoman Ashley Rodrigue says Derek Smith turned himself into authorities.

A woman has been arrested for being part of a scheme to set her own car on fire, and now state officials are looking for her uncle too.

According to the Louisiana State Fire Marshal's Spokeswoman Ashley Rodrigue, Dequincy woman Heaven Royer's uncle set her car own fire in an effort to get money from her insurance company through fraud.

According to investigators, they allege that Royer's car was out of the window for her warranty to pay for her car repairs, so they say a plan to torch the car was put into motion.

On the night of January 30, officials say that Royer's Ford Fiesta was found burned near the intersection of Soutj Bearhead Road and Louisiana Highway 389 in the town of Singer. The Fields Fire Department showed up to deal with the situation.

Officers are looking for Royer's uncle, 40-year-old Derek Smith in connection with the case.

They allege that Smith was the person that Royer went to when she wanted to determine what was wrong with her car. When she realized the work would not be covered under her warranty and that she couldn't afford to pay for those repairs, Smith showed her where to leave her burned up car. She alleges that she saw her uncle set the Ford Fiesta on fire.

Authorities also say that Smith has claimed several times that he was going to turn himself, but he has not done so, and they add he is actively working to allude them.

Royer was booked into jail for one count of Arson With Intent to Dedraud, and Smith is being sought on that same charge.

If you know this man, or you recognize him, please call the State Fire Marshal's Arson Hotline at 1-844-954-1221.

You can also give information about Smith, by going to LASFM.org.

All tips that you make can anonymous.

Royer was booked into the Beauregard Parish Jail.

 

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