A new Chevrolet Malibu burns after allegedly being set aflame by the owner's spurned ex-girlfriend. Screenshot: WJLA-TV

GERMANTOWN, Md., May 20 (UPI) -- A Maryland woman who torched her ex-boyfriend's new car for allegedly cheating on her told police she was inspired by a music video.

The Montgomery County Police Department said Hopesy Henriquez, 18, of Clarksburg, was still on the scene about 3:30 a.m. May 10 when police and firefighters responded to a report of a car on fire in Germantown.


The responders discovered the gray Chevrolet Malibu engulfed in flames and Henriquez told an officer she set fire to the car, which belonged to her ex-boyfriend, as punishment for cheating on her.

"I should have set his house of fire," WJLA-TV quoted the woman as telling police.

The 24-year-old owner of the $29,000 car said he had ended his relationship with Henriquez earlier in the night and left her home when she became physical.

Henriquez was taken to the fifth district police station, where she told officers she purchased lighter fluid and a lighter from a 7-Eleven store before catching an Uber ride to the victim's house and burning the car.

"I put it all over. Front, side, back... I just wanted to do something crazy, a lot of things have been happening to me," Henriquez allegedly told officers.

Henriquez allegedly said her inspiration to commit arson came from an unusual source: "I watched this music video and that's when I thought about lighting his car on fire... I hope he never forgets it."

Henriquez is due in court June 3 to face a charge of first degree malicious burning. She faces up to 28 years in prison if convicted.