Deputies arrest man accused of setting ex-girlfriend on fire

CLAYTON COUNTY, Ga. - FOX 5 was there as a wanted man was arrested after authorities said he doused a woman with gasoline and set her on fire. 

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Friday morning, investigators announced the arrest of Mervin Woodard, who had been placed at the top of Clayton County Sheriff Victor Hill's most wanted list. 

The Clayton County Police Department said Woodard, after setting his ex-girlfriend on fire, drove her to Grady Memorial Hospital and then took off in her vehicle on Wednesday.

“He abandoned her at Grady before speaking to staff about her condition,” said Sgt. Ashanti Marbury with the Clayton County Police Department.

The woman was still in a medically-induced coma at Grady's Burn Center as of Thursday evening.

Deputies arrested Woodard as he tried to hide in the attic of the victim's Parson Court home. Police said neighbors called them after spotting the suspect when he parked the stolen vehicle a few block away from the house. 

The unspeakable crime stunned neighbors. Alfonso Doughty lives in the same cul-de-sac with the victim.

“I was just shocked that it happened two doors down from me at my house,” Doughty said.

Investigators said Woodard and the victim have a child together. They did not elaborate on what led to the incident.