Man Allegedly Trying To Steal Petrol Explodes In Van

A man burned to death in his van after he allegedly tried to steal gas from a gas station in South Los Angeles.

According to his family, this wasn't the first time that Richard Glover, in his 50s, allegedly tried to steal gas from a gas station. His family said he was burned in the past trying to steal gas and that they’ve been begging him to stop doing it.

On Tuesday, he left home early before his wife awoke and went to a gas station in South Los Angeles. He paid for gas at a pump and then drove to the back of the gas station.

That's where his van exploded and he burned to death.

Once firefighters put out the flames, authorities discovered two 55-gallon tanks inside the van, as well as a pump and an inch-wide water hose leading from the van to an underground tank.

The cause of the fire is under investigation but the victim's broher-in-law, Jackson believes may have been smoking at the time the fire broke out.

Glover left behind a wife and three children.