A Florida man faces arson and other charges after Etna police say he set a parked car on fire.
Tyqei Eric Howze, 23, of Groveland, Fla. is charged with three felony counts of arson and felony counts of causing or risking a catastrophe and criminal mischief.
According to a criminal complaint, police responded to the fire in the 100 block of Poplar Street shortly after 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 21. The car, a BMW with Tennessee registration, was parked along the side of the road and fully engulfed.
Firefighters reported the fire appeared to be suspicious.
The manager of a nearby storage business told police she had video surveillance of the vehicle being intentionally set on fire.
In the video, the complaint states, a man is seen running over to the BMW, placing something inside and running away. He runs to it a second time, tosses something inside and runs away again, after which a small explosion is seen inside the vehicle.
Three other small explosives are set off in the direction of the vehicle, according to the complaint.
Police learned that Howze is related to a person who has a unit at the storage business, and that Howze is staying with family in Homewood, the complaint states.
When an officer first spoke with Howze by phone, he said he had thrown a firework at a car, the complaint states.
When questioned by police in person later, the complaint states, Howze said he was playing with a firework and threw it into the car. Because it was a “dud,” he then lit a Roman candle in the direction of the BMW.
Police said Howze gave a written statement about his involvement in the fire, and described him as being cooperative and “very respectful during this encounter,” the complaint states.
Howze was arraigned Thursday, Jan. 22 and released on his own recognizance, according to court records. He is scheduled for a preliminary hearing before District Judge Daniel J. Konieczka Jr. on Feb. 12.
