Armed man caught setting fire to Tampa restaurant by using a propane tank
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Tampa, FL - An arson suspect was arrested Tuesday after Hillsborough County deputies said they found him holding two knives inside a burning restaurant.
The July 7 incident was captured on surveillance video from the restaurant off West Waters Avenue in Tampa, as well as deputies’ body-worn cameras.
The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office said deputies were initially dispatched to the restaurant around 9 a.m. after receiving a call regarding an assault or battery.
Court documents stated that the suspect, Rubiel Maceo Castillo, 53, had grabbed two knives and charged at some of the people in the restaurant.
He then cut the gas line to a grill and grabbed a propane tank, according to the documents. Officials said a woman tried to stop Castillo, and he cut her on the wrist with one of the knives.
Deputies arrived to find the business filled with smoke and flames and a burning propane tank outside.
Castillo was still inside the restaurant and deputies said they could see him holding the knives.
“Drop the knife now. Do it now,” one of the responding deputies yelled.
After getting Castillo out of the building, crews rushed to extinguish the flames.
A review of surveillance video showed a man, believed to be Castillo, walking around the business with a burning propane tank.
Authorities said Castillo was arrested and charged with first-degree arson, along with multiple other charges related to the incident.
The incident is believed to have stemmed from a domestic situation between Castillo and his wife.