Bodies set on fire near roadways in Riverside and San Bernardino counties

August 24, 2010 | 5:38 pm

Authorities are investigating two suspicious cases of bodies set on fire near roadways just days apart in Riverside and San Bernardino counties.

Early Tuesday morning a driver near Highway 62 in Joshua Tree witnessed a small fire near the road. When he stopped to take a closer look, he noticed a body in the flames, according to the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s office. Homicide and arson detectives are investigating the death and the cause of the fire.

On Saturday, Riverside County Sheriff’s investigators were called to Norco after a report of a body set ablaze near Hidden Valley Drive and Country Club Drive. Coroner’s officials identified the charred body as Rogelio Mora Virgen, 39, of Palmdale. That case is being investigated as a homicide as well.

“I have not received any information that the two may be related," said Riverside County Sheriff’s spokesman Sgt. Joe Borja.

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