Authorities Question Story Of Man Who Claimed He Was Set On Fire After Bet

Dona Ana County Sheriff’s Investigators are looking for a man who falsely told authorities his friends set him on fire and left him on the side of the road after losing a bet.

Officials have charged 47-year-old Randy Malone with two misdemeanor counts of making a false report. Malone made these false reports to the Las Cruces Police Department and the Dona Ana County Sheriff’s Department on July 5th.

According to witnesses, Malone was found naked and on fire on Highway 70 on the overpass at Del Rey Boulevard. He was wearing only his shoes and had a prosthetic right leg just below his right knee.

Malone apparently had “significant” burns to his right leg, back and buttocks, as well as portions of his prosthetic leg. What was left of his sock was burned as well.

A witness who came forward to authorities reported giving Malone a ride into town after he approached the witness alone.

The witness said Malone had placed a “crack” pipe in his pocket prior to the witness dropping him off on Highway 70 at the overpass after Malone “lit up”.

Magistrate Judge Joseph Guillory set Malone’s bond at $2,000.