Two employees of a pizza shop, deciding their proximity to another pizza shop far too close for comfort, built an incendiary device that would remove their rivals and give them more customers – but instead the two have been caught and charged with arson, as read in the Lake City Reporter.
The employees – both managers at a Ds pizzeria in Lake City– were charged for the arson that occurred on October 20 at approximately 3 a.m. The fire left a P.J.s pizza shop's interior charred.
The Lake City Police Department spokesperson, Captain J.B., said that the arsonists motive was their intention to remove the other restaurant and thereby increase their own pizza sales.
B.D.S., 21 and S.E.D., 23, have been taken into custody as of October 28.
The Ds pizza store where the two worked is located in the 2300 block of W. U.S. 90. The P.J.'s pizzeria that they targeted was located in the 2800 block – of the same street.
B.D.S. allegedly confessed to enlisting S.E.D. to help him carry out his plan.
Using a small kitchen clock, a nine-volt battery, a sandwich-sized baggie and some gunpowder, the two allegedly constructed their incendiary device.
They claim that the device was not used to ignite the fire. Captain J.B. said, "They tried it out and it fizzled like a sparkler" so they allegedly used an accelerant instead to get the fire going.
The accelerant allegedly left S.E.D. with burns on his arms when it was lit prematurely.
While driving south on I-75, the two took the incendiary device apart and threw it from their vehicle. Police, in combing U.S. 90 and I-75 for clues, have not turned up the baggie. The gunpowder, said to be contained in the baggie, would make the bag appear to be about the size of a golf ball.
Agents from the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives told Captain J.B. that a device like that – if it actually did ignite – would not explode but may flash. Officers reminded citizens that if they were to come across the device they are to be cautious and notify the police right away.
Captain J.B. said that the Ds owner has been contacted, is cooperating and, he believes, knew nothing about the arson plans before the fire. But, reportedly, the two arsonists told others about their plans.
Tips were received after the arson that led police to conduct some interviews. Captain J.B. said, "After the fire some people got nervous and we got some tips" but some of those contacted chose to lie. J.B. continued, "If everybody had been honest from the beginning we would've solved this a whole lot quicker."
Though the arsonists have been arrested, those that lied and misled the investigation may also be facing arrest in the future.
Arson is a rare criminal offense. If you find yourself facing criminal charges for acts that you felt driven to do, your case would be best handled by an experienced attorney. Click here for our directory to contact a criminal defense attorney for help.
