A 16-year-old high school student has been arrested on a charge of with arson after an investigation by Lake County sheriff’s detectives into a fire at an upscale development.
Deputies were dispatched to The Reserve housing development in Minneola when a suspicious fire was reported on Jan. 9.
A representative of the development told the deputies that unknown suspects had set fire to a towel dispenser in the women’s restroom at the community pool. The fire damaged the towel holder, drywall, paint, the floor and an electrical outlet. Deputies were given photos of two youths from the pool’s security cameras. The photos were sent to the school resource deputy at Lake Minneola High School. That deputy identified two students as possible suspects.
The detectives interviewed the two boys. One boy said the other youth started the fire. A review of the security video showed that the boy named as the arsonist was the last person to exit the ladies room on the day of the fire. It also showed him with a torch lighter which was emitting a visible flame.
The damage to the property totaled $1,450. The youth was turned over to the custody of the Department of Juvenile Justice according to the arrest report.
