SAN BERNARDINO >> The Highland man who is alleged to have tried to set a man’s body on fire had help from his 14- and 17-year-old sons, authorities said Thursday.

Enrique Jimenez Sr. and his teen sons are alleged to have dumped a trash can with the body of Morris Barnes, also of Highland, inside in an empty field near Sixth Street and Sterling Avenue in San Bernardino the morning of May 20, according to a San Bernardino County sheriff’s statement.

A deputy on patrol spotted Jimenez and his sons and reported they were trying to start a fire. When he approached the trio, they jumped into a white SUV and led officials on a pursuit that ended in Paramount with the 46-year-old Jiminez’s arrest. During the high-speed chase, Jimenez is alleged to have let his sons out of the vehicle near Elmwood Road and Fisher Street, and they ran off. They were arrested later that morning.

Investigators determined that Barnes was stabbed several times, and his body was partially burned. It’s unclear if Jimenez is suspected of stabbing Barnes or what role his children played in the death of the 51-year-old man.

San Bernardino police began the initial homicide investigation because Barnes’ body was found in the city, but after several interviews, authorities said, it became clear the crime took place on Elmwood Road in Highland. San Bernardino police and sheriff’s homicide detectives then began a joint investigation.

At the time Barnes was discovered, it was reported that his death was the 27th homicide for San Bernardinothis year. But, as it occurred in Highland, the count remained at 26.

On Monday night, 19-year-old Christian Morales, was shot and killed after he chased an assailant alleged to have robbed him at a San Bernardino park.

Barnes’ death is the second homicide in 2016 for Highland, officials said. Juan Anthony Carreno, 58, was stabbed to death Tuesday, marking the city’s third homicide.

Jimenez was charged with suspicion of murder and felony evading. He’s expected to be back in San Bernardino Superior Court on Thursday.

His sons were arrested and booked into Juvenile Hall. Few details have been released in their case due to their ages.