Man arrested for arson, but could he be linked to burned body found inside car in Hollywood?

Suspect may have had relationship with woman whose charred remains were discovered

HOLLYWOOD, Fla. – The boyfriend of a woman whose charred remains were found inside a car that was on fire is under arrest, charged with first-degree arson by Hollywood Police.

It’s the same department that’s been investigating the death of Jasmine Guillaime, 25, who was the person identified to have been in the car when it was found on fire.

Keith Martin Perkins, 26, was arrested Friday, but has not been charged in Guillaime’s death, only two counts of first-degree arson, a crime where detectives are divulging little information.

On April 18, fire crews rushed to reports of a car on fire in Hollywood around 7 a.m., but upon further investigation, they realized a body was inside the vehicle.

The car was found burning in the 2300 block of Thomas Street, in an alley behind Speedy Distributors Machine and Tool Rental.

“During their brief investigation, they did determine there was a body inside of the vehicle. At that point (fire rescue) backed off and the Hollywood Police department established a crime scene,” said Officer Christian Lata, of the Hollywood Police Department.

The damage to the vehicle was so extensive that the make and the model of the car was difficult to discern.

Guillaime was the girlfriend of Perkins, according to loved ones, and she had apparently learned she was pregnant with her first child.

Perkins was scheduled to appear before a judge in Broward County court on Saturday, but he was a no-show when his name was called. His appearance was rescheduled for Monday. He is facing two first degree charges of arson of a dwelling or building with people present. He is being held on a $20,000 bond.


About the Authors:

Terrell Forney joined Local 10 News in October 2005 as a general assignment reporter. He was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio, but a desire to escape the harsh winters of the north brought him to South Florida.