Kid Cudi’s Porsche was ‘targeted’ with Molotov cocktail made from 40 oz Olde English bottle and designer handkerchief: testimony
The “targeted” arson attack on Kid Cudi’s Porsche convertible was carried out with a Molotov cocktail fashioned from a malt liquor bottle and silky designer handkerchief, a fire investigator testified at Sean “Diddy” Combs’ bombshell federal trial Wednesday.
Los Angeles Fire Department inspector Lance Jimenez told Manhattan jurors he spotted the 40 ounce Olde English 800 malt liquor bottle inside the ritzy Porsche after he was called to the scene of the attempted firebombing in 2012.
The bottle reeked of gasoline and there was a burnt a “silky-like” designer handkerchief nearby, Jimenez testified.
“Inside, I observed the bottle… odor of gasoline and the handkerchief there, so I made a general observation that this may have been a Molotov cocktail,” Jimenez said.
The fire inspector, who noted a disposable lighter was also found nearby, described the bottle as a “makeshift firebomb.”
The details emerged after the renowned rapper and actor – whose real name is Scott Mescudi – testified last week that he immediately knew Combs “had something to do with it” when his luxury vehicle was damaged.
Follow the latest on Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ federal sex-trafficking trial:
- Diddy trial live updates: Cassie’s friend who claims mogul dangled her over a balcony set to testify
- Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs once threw a knife at one-time girlfriend Cassie Ventura: testimony
- Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs bribed hotel security guard $100K to hand over Cassie beating video, then called him on Easter: ‘God put you in my life for a reason’
- Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs fan unleashes profane rant at trial, mogul watches her get dragged from courtroom before day even starts
Asked on Wednesday by prosecutors if the incident was random, Jimenez responded: “In my opinion, this was targeted.”
“The car was not visible form the street… I believe the Porsche was targeted close to the home. It’s also an area where you don’t see a lot of crime activity… My experience… I personally felt it was targeted.”
Jurors were shown photos of the Molotov cocktail, as well as the damage inflicted to the convertible — including its red melted seats, burn patters on the floor and heat-damaged doors.
Despite the damage, Jimenez testified that he has seen much worse.
He said the silky fabric of the handkerchief ultimately made the bomb less effective and limited the overall damage to the car.
“The cloth was a silky-like material and it fell out of the bottom,” he said. “The fire smoldered out … and didn’t cause the damage that it was intended for.”
If the gasoline-soaked handkerchief had remained in the bottle, it would have caused it to explode, he testified — adding that the fire could then have spread to the surrounding foliage near Mescudi’s Los Angeles home.
“It wasn’t as extensive. I’ve seen cars burn all the way down to the frame because of these fire bombs,” Jimenez said of the damage.
During his show-stopping testimony last week, Mescudi detailed how Combs was allegedly jealous over his budding relationship with Cassie Ventura
“I reached out to Sean Combs after my car caught fire and told him we needed to finally meet up and talk,” he told jurors. “He’d been wanting to talk to me. After the fire, I thought this is getting out of hand and I need to talk to him.”
Combs, 55, has pleaded not guilty to charges including racketeering conspiracy and sex-trafficking. He could face life in prison, if convicted.
