Two suspects arrested for allegedly setting dancer on fire

Two suspects were arrested this afternoon for allegedly setting an exotic dancer on fire outside a Tarzana nightclub.

Police allege Rianne Theriault-Odom, 27, and Nathaniel Petrillo, 22, allegedly doused the female dancer with a flammable liquid and set her ablaze Thursday. LAPD Depty Chief Charlie Beck said the pair were arrested at a Valley hotel in a join operation between the department and U.S. Marshal's Service.

"This is a horrific crime," Beck said. "Thankfully, these people are behind bars."

Roberta Busby remains in critical condition at Grossman Burn Center in Sherman Oaks after being attacked Thursday outside Babes & Beer, a sports bar in Tarzana that offers full-contact lap dances. Busby underwent the first of several skin grafts, said Kelli Rix, director of burn services at Grossman.

“She definitely will have another one this week, provided she stays stable,” Rix said.

The 27-year-old single mother from Simi Valley has two daughters, ages 4 and 8. Donations for the children may be made in the name of Busby’s brother, Rodrigo, at any Washington Mutual branch, or checks may be sent to him at 3835 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd., #256, Thousand Oaks, CA 91362. A friend also set up the Roberta Busby Fund through Santa Barbara Bank & Trust, which is accepting donations at any of its branches.

Comments

[Stephen]

Is there a guarantee that these kids will be the sole and direct beneficiaries of the donations.

[Doctress Julia]

How totally crass of you, Stephen! You should be ashamed. Did it occur to you that it would be also used to pay her no doubt huge medical bills? Does this human being not deserve empathy and our help? I mean, she was BURNED ALIVE. Do you even get that? This is just one more manifestation of the hate and misogyny prevalent in this world. Ugh, just ugh.

[Capt. Dan V. Posson]

Congratulations to all to hard working officers of the LAPD. I know they took this case very seriously and worked some long hours catching these people.

[rex]

thank god they caught these losers! I hope babes and bear has to pay, they didn't even close the next day out of respect. Shows how much they care about their employees.

[Ade]

I have met Roberta & know her brother Rod very well, he is my son's Karate instructor & is an extremely respected member of the Moorpark & Simi Valley community where he teaches. Please do not worry about the proceeds of your donation, every last cent will be used to help cover her massive medical expenses & looking after her children. Please remember that this was a mom that was doing everything she could to maintain her standard of living without resorting to government hand outs.

[candace]

this is candy her best friend. the first fund is actually called the rodrigo busby fund benefiting the children of roberta busby so yea that one is for her children soley.... the one my cousin set up is to go to her family to help pay for the extensive hospital fee's this long road to recovery for her will take as well as the children..... we are all very honest people and would never use a tragedy such as this to exploit money from caring and concerned strangers... we just want our friend to get back to 100% and keep her children the best they can be kept without their mother.... and just so you know her and her brother are best friends even though he is older they are like twins...... he would not do anything shady toward her or in her name....

[guera]

This is horrible.. So sad another human can do that to another...I think the ones worried about if the money is going to go to the children is a sad thing also. Lets all just pray she has a fast recovery.. My heart goes out to all her loved ones and Thank you Candace for setting the record straight for these people.. Watch over and take care of those kids for your friend.. Roberta we are thinking about and praying for you and your family..Thankfully they caught the scum that did this..Hope they burn in hell after the rot in jail..

[Mark W]

Does anybody know why these people did such a thing?

[rexprimoris]

Get well soon, Ms. Busby. The thoughts and prayers of concerned citizens are with you and your family.

[lmd]

I completely agree with the statements made by Ade, my son is also a student of Mr. Busby's and some of the other fine men that teach at the studio. I have no doubt that all donations will be used appropiately. I can not believe that anybody could have such hatred for human life to do this to someone, it just saddens me that things like this happen. I know that her children are surrounded by love and I will be keeping them and the entire family in my prayers.

[Jackie]

I do believe the family of this poor girl should sue the C R A P out of the owners of thclub" as an employee or independant contractor, which is legally AGAINST THE LAW., There should have been a security to see her outside in the dark. The owners of these clubs only are interested in the money these poor girls MUST hand over to WORK FOR THEM !!! SHAME ON YOU ALL. !! I pray in my heartand soul for this girl and her family.

[chas jr]

Criminals do what they do obviously the victim was no angel .where was her family while she was stripping and prostituting . where are her babies daddy(s) ? Now they want a donation go fish.

[janie]

I will pray for the good Lord to Heal you completely Ms. Busby. I will pray for the Lord to watch over the children in this time of healing. God will have justice in the end. God will have his justice on these people. MAY THE lORD BLESS THEE AND KEEP THEE. MAY THE LORD MAKE HIS FACE TO SHINE UPON THEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[mia]

@chas jr. & stephen: I bet you both were salivating, waiting for the opportunity to trash someone fighting for their life in a hospital bed. The ignorant warped comments from you two are indicative of the type of mentality who can justify an act like this toward another human being. You are disgusting.

[Keb]

Chas, why would you say she was a prostitute? She worked in a bikini bar - she didn't even take her clothes off. Your assumptions show you to be a very cold person. I feel so bad for this woman. She was trying to make ends meet for her family. Not the most desirable career but not shameful either. I am praying for she and her family.

[Pete]

Sure. Sue the club owner, a presumably hard working person with a family of his own, for to the horrific actions of two lunatics. Ruin his and his family's life because of the unforseen happenstance of a personal vendetta being played out in front of his business.

Gotta blame somebody besides the perpetrators, right?

[John Roberts]

I have comments for Chas jr, Rex, and Jackie

Chas jr: No angel? What the hell is wrong with you? First of all, it's a bikini bar, there was absolutely no nudity involved with her job whatsoever. It used to be a full-nude, non-alcohol serving club, but that was several years ago.

Rex: Actually, they did close the club, and for several days. The local news in LA. actually covered that fact, plus I know one of the owners. They did indeed close their doors out of respect for Roberta.

Jackie, the clubowners are not actually liable since the incident happened outside the club (out on the street), not inside. I know that your thoughts are very genuine and caring, but I doubt the family will be able to sue the owners. Furthermore, they are only concerned with her health at this point, so the only money they care about right now is the donations they are receiving to help pay for Roberta's astronomical medical bills.

UPDATE: Unfortunately, I heard today that Petrillo was released, citing a lack of evidence against him. I am appaled, and I don't understand why this is so, since he was caught with Theriault-Odom. And if he wasn't guilty why did he hide out with her? I also heard that she pleaded not-guilty, but that's no suprise!

[Sam]

I feel horrible for this girl and worse for her children, but why was she working in such a low life place that is advertised as "full contact lap dances."
She could have worked at McDonalds if it was just a second job.
I hope she's not into drug dealing or any of the other crap that goes on in these kind of places. Face it, a woman with two children should be home with them at 2 oclock in the morning instead of in a disgusting club with her clothes off giving "full contact lap dances" to a bunch of (most likely) married men.