GEORGETOWN, Guyana – A man in the South American country of Guyana has being held on suspicion of killing his wife and four of his five children by locking them inside their home and setting it on fire, police said Saturday.
Businessman Lennox La Cruz, 50, was arrested in the northwest region of Port Kaituma near Venezuela, authorities said. It was not immediately clear if he had an attorney.
Police said they were alerted to the incident by a fifth child, a 12-year-old girl, who went to a police station and told officers that her parents were arguing and that her father was threatening to burn down their home. Police said that when they arrived at the house, it was already on fire and that they couldn't enter because of a locked iron door.
Authorities said police officers and nearby residents formed a bucket brigade but were unable to put out the fire.
The victims were identified as Lurlene La Cruz, 39, her two daughters, ages 14 and 3, and two sons, ages 8 and 1.
The killings occurred late Friday in a farming and gold mining community where La Cruz was well known.
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