Detroit police are hunting for a man they say robbed a 91-year-old World War II veteran, left his home and returned with a can of gasoline, whereby he burned the veteran and the house.

Paul MonchikFire crews were called to the home of Paul Monchnik on the city’s nothwest side, when they discovered the elderly man near the front door of the home. Initially believing he was overcome by smoke, police now say there is evidence Monchnik was murdered.

“There was a burglary and we believe that during the suspect’s entry into the home, there was an attack. However, in order for the suspect to cover his tracks, he decided to go, leave the location, obtain some gasoline, return and set the victim and the home on fire,” Detroit Police Chief James Craig says, according to Fox 2.

Police say the suspect drove Monchnik’s silver van to get the gasoline. Monchnik linked to tinker with fixing televisions.

“I was on the phone with my girlfriend and I looked over and I told her, ‘Oh, he’s at it again. He’s about to go collect some TVs but it’s 2 o’clock in the morning, what’s he doing up?’ And I just [saw] the person driving off with his car. Two minutes later, I walk in the house and we smell fire,” neighbor Gerald Stewart III tells Fox 2.

Police released surveillance footage they say is of the suspect with the hopes of catching him:

They had been searching for a black male, in his early 20s, 5-foot 9-inches, with a medium complexion, according to the Free Press. He was wearing a gray hoodie and University of Michigan basketball pants.

“This is a horrible crime, we’re asking for your help,” Craig says. “We’re going to do everything we can to identify this person.”

Monchnik’s son, Scott Monchnik, is asking for the public’s help.

“He had misplaced his keys to his car, and I told him I’d come over this afternoon and help him out with that,” he said, according to the Free Press. “Anybody that can help get this scum off the street, please come forward, and please help. Nobody deserves to be treated the way this punk treated my dad.”

Police released surveillance footage they say is of the suspect with the hopes of catching him: