2nd arrest made in Miami-Dade Molotov cocktail attack that left teen seriously injured

Ricardo Alberto Munoz Manriquez. (MDCR)

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. — Authorities have arrested a second suspect in a southwest Miami-Dade home fire, accusing him of helping hurl a makeshift Molotov cocktail that severely burned a teenage girl and endangered several children earlier this year.

Ricardo Alberto Munoz Manriquez, 32, of Florida City, was taken into custody this past Friday in connection with the crime, according to jail records obtained by Local 10 News on Monday.

His arrest comes a few weeks after deputies said Yang Chiong, 36, was arrested on Dec. 12 following a months-long investigation into the March 25 incident.

They said Chiong and Munoz Manriquez planned the attack after a history of domestic disputes between Chiong and the victims’ household.

An arrest report states that Munoz Manriquez purchased materials to create a Molotov cocktail, which Chiong then hurled through a window of the home located near the 27000 block of Southwest 143rd place in the county’s Naranja area at around 8:30 p.m.

Inside the home were several family members, including young children.

Deputies said a teenage girl seated in a recliner with her nephews was engulfed in flames after the incendiary device exploded in the living room, suffering burns to nearly half of her body.

Family members quickly pulled her from the fire, used a hose to extinguish the flames, and drove her to Baptist Health Homestead Hospital before she was airlifted to the HCA Florida Kendall Hospital burn unit. The family dog was also injured, according to the report.

Authorities said the fire initially appeared accidental, but an investigation revealed pieces of a mason jar and a partially burned wick, along with a hole in the window, confirming the blaze was intentionally set. Miami-Dade Fire Rescue investigators confirmed the fire was deliberately ignited.

The report also says Munoz Manriquez and Chiong recruited a woman to help carry out the plan, but authorities have not released her identity at this time.

Witness statements, phone records and forensic examination of the suspects’ cellphones helped lead deputies to arrest Munoz Manriquez.

During an interview, detectives said Munoz Manriquez denied involvement and said he had not driven one of the vehicles used in the incident.

Meanwhile, Chiong, who has a prior history of domestic abuse, robbery and carjacking, was wearing an ankle monitor at the time of the attack, deputies said.

Jail records show both men face seven counts of attempted felony murder, and one count each of first-degree arson and throwing a deadly missile. Munoz Manriquez is facing an additional charge of animal cruelty.

A motive for the attack is unclear at this time.

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About The Author
Ryan Mackey

Ryan Mackey

Ryan Mackey is a Digital Journalist at WPLG. He was born on Long Island, New York, and has lived in Sunrise, Florida since 1994.