TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Pasco Man Arrested On Burglary, Arson

ADVERTISEMENT

Jo-Ann Johnston

Published: November 24, 2007

SPRING HILL The Pasco County Sheriff's Office has charged a 27-year old man with arson and burglary after a fire at a vacant mobile home Friday evening.

Deputies said they found Tito Diaz Jr. at the scene of a fire at 17003 Akins Drive. At first, Diaz told them the home belonged to him and that it was set on fire by four men who came armed with guns and a gas can, and then fled.

But an unidentified witness told deputies Diaz started the fire on the back porch by setting a cardboard box on fire with a lighter, according to a police report.

Diaz then admitted he had made up the story about the arsonists and that he had started the fire, according to a police report.

Diaz told police his ex-girlfriend used to live in the home with his mother, who recently died, and that he was upset. Deputies determined Diaz does not own the mobile home or the property.

Pasco County firefighters and volunteers responded. It is not clear how badly the home was damaged.

In addition to the arson and burglary charges, Diaz faces charges of criminal mischief, possession of controlled drugs without a prescription and making a false report to a law enforcement agency. He was being held Saturday in the Land O'Lakes Jail with bail set at $65,250.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT