Pomona murder suspect who set woman ablaze arrested

PASADENA, Calif. -- Authorities arrested a man Sunday who is suspected of murdering a woman by setting her on fire on Christmas Day.

Clarence Duwell Dear, 51, of Pomona, was arrested by Los Angeles County sheriff's deputies and Pasadena police after receiving a tip that he may have boarded a Metro Bus in Pasadena.

He was transported to the Pomona Police Department, where he was booked for murder. His bail was set at $1 million.

Around 2 p.m. Friday, Pomona police officers responded to the 1500 block of Cordova Street on reports of a woman fully engulfed in fire running from a home. She eventually collapsed and authorities attempted to render aid.

Dawn Hensley, 41, was rushed to the hospital, where she succumbed to her injuries.

Authorities believe she was involved in a domestic dispute and was then doused in gasoline before she was lit on fire, possibly with a cigarette.

No further information on Dear's arrest was available. The investigation was ongoing.