Local : Van Nuys Man Seriously Burned in Acid Attack, Motive Unknown

A man was seriously burned when an assailant threw acid in his face on a street in Van Nuys and then stole his car, Los Angeles police said today. No suspect has been arrested.

Andres Chaidez, 22, of Van Nuys suffered chemical burns over his face and 40% of his body, police said. He was taken to an undisclosed hospital after being found at 8:30 p.m. Tuesday lying on a driveway in the 6900 block of Gloria Avenue.

The nature of the chemical was unknown but, according to police reports, paramedics who treated the victim said he had suffered severe acid burns. Police obtained samples for analysis.

Lt. Dennis Dunn said the motive for the attack was unclear. He said a witness told police that he thought he saw Chaidez and the assailant arguing shortly before the attack. But Chaidez said he did not know his assailant.

Chaidez told police he was sitting in his parked car on Vanowen Avenue near Haskell Street when a man carrying a plastic container walked up and asked for money so he could buy gasoline for his car, Dunn said.

“The victim said, ‘I don’t have any money,’ and this guy threw a white liquid from the container in his face,” Dunn said.