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Mulberry Police: Man Used Spray Can As Flamethrower

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: June 10, 2008

Mulberry police charged a man with felony arson and felony aggravated assault, saying he used an aerosol can as a makeshift flamethrower.

Alexis Inocente Ruiz was held at the Polk County Jail today on $125,500 bail, records show.

Mulberry Police Chief Larry Cavallaro said additional charges might be filed against Ruiz after the investigation concludes.

Cavallaro said Ruiz was at the apartment of Robert Lewis Jr., 29, on Southwest First Avenue on Sunday because Lewis owed Ruiz money. According to Cavallaro, Ruiz taunted Lewis by igniting the product sprayed from an aerosol can. When Lewis insisted Ruiz leave, Ruiz set a trash can on fire, the chief said.

The charges listed in the jail suggest a hate crime, but Cavallaro said he does not think the charges will be prosecuted as hate crimes. "The intent behind the threats has to do with the money owed," not race, he said.

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