Boynton landlord sets man on fire over late rent, police say

BOYNTON BEACH, Fla. - A landlord was so fed up with a tenant's tardy rent that he wanted him to feel the heat. So, police said, he set the man's boxer shorts on fire.

While he was in them.

Landlord Jonathan Steinberg, 58, was arrested and charged with aggravated battery.

Steinberg, who lives in the house, was arguing Monday with Ronald Rohde, 52, over rent money. It happened about 4 p.m. in the 1600 block of Northeast Fourth Street, police said.

The men were arguing when Rohde asked Steinberg to leave his room. He left then came back with the rubbing alcohol and the men began to fight. Steinberg allegedly cut Rohde in the back with a screwdriver and a third roommate, a 46-year-old woman, tried to break it up.

Police said Steinberg splashed rubbing alcohol over Rohde's boxer shorts, took a lighter and set them on fire.

Rohde stripped down fast enough to suffer only minor burns, police said. He was treated at Bethesda Memorial Hospital.

The burnt boxers were held by police as evidence.