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SALT LAKE CITY — A Canadian man faces criminal charges for allegedly throwing Molotov cocktails at a home in Cedar Hills.
Federal prosecutors filed a felony complaint Thursday against Tien Ming Chen, also known as Isaac Chen, alleging four counts of interstate travel to commit a violent crime and use of fire to commit a felony. A detention hearing is scheduled for Friday in U.S. District Court.
Investigators say Chen, 29, made three trips to Utah from Vancouver, British Columbia, since April, to threaten families in Alpine and Cedar Hills. Residents in the two homes are related to each other and Chen apparently has a financial dispute with one of them who's only referred to as R.L.
This morning, my wife and I were sleeping and we heard a big bang -- crashing sound. Then we hear it again and then we heard glass breaking.
–Chuck
In May, he poured gasoline around an Alpine home and lit it on fire, but the concrete and stone exterior did not burn, according to documents.
In April, he delivered a letter on Red Lion Hotel stationery to another Alpine home reading in part, "You have ignored and hid from us holding our money illegally and refuse to give it back to us or try to resolve the situation with us. … Give back what you stole, or we will be coming back for more and more until someone is very sorry. … This is your final notice."
Investigators say the letter was intended for the home Chen tried to set on fire in May, but was mistakenly delivered to a neighboring house.
"This morning, my wife and I were sleeping and we heard a big bang -- crashing sound," said the homeowner, identified as Chuck. "Then we hear it again and then we heard glass breaking."
On Thursday about 5:45 a.m., three fire bombs made from Orange Crush bottles filled with kerosene and paper towels with floral print wicks were ignited and thrown at a home in Cedar Hills, according investigators. Two exploded at front door and inside the front window. The third did not explode.
The explosion awakened the homeowner who ran to the front yard and saw a red car speeding away. He used a fire extinguisher to put out the flames. No one was injured.
The attack allegedly came because Chuck is the brother of the man Chen has been threatening.
Police stopped Chen at the Salt Lake City International Airport about 8 a.m. near the rental car return driving a red Hyundai Sonata, according to the complaint.
The complaint says Chen admitted to the allegations during an interview with FBI agents.
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Written by Dennis Romboy with contributions from Sam Penrod.
