Travis Michael Pierce has been charged with two counts of arson to a structure and burglary of an unoccupied structure in connection to two fires at the shuttered Altamonte Springs, Fla., golf course on January 1 and 4. The property has been closed for more than a year.
A former volunteer firefighter from Pennsylvania is accused of setting two fires at the shuttered The Links at 434 in Altamonte Springs, Fla., this month, the Winter Park, Fla.-based WESH 2 News reported.
The Florida State Fire Marshal’s Office announced the arrest of Travis Michael Pierce, 27, in connection with the January 1 and January 4 fires. Officials said Pierce was already on parole for arson- and fraud-related cases in Pennsylvania, WESH reported.
Authorities said the first fire was set near the front door of the clubhouse using common combustibles and a lighter. Pierce put the fire out and returned a few days later to set a second fire in a utility closet using paint thinner from the building, WESH reported.
“He kept looking back over his shoulder, something just didn’t look right. So law enforcement made contact with him,” said Lt. Robert Pelton with the Altamonte Springs Police Department.
According to the police report, there was a “heavy odor commonly associated with a fire on Pierce.” Police said Pierce’s reason for being around in the early hours of the morning seemed odd, WESH reported.
“He lived on one side of the city, but he was walking to the other side of the city, because he only liked Walmart milk. No milk was observed in his hands,” Pelton said.
Police took Pierce in for questioning and said he denied causing the fire. Police said the state fire marshal’s expertise helped them arrest Pierce for arson and burglary, WESH reported.
“With their forensics was really the way we were able to catch him and put him at that fire,” Pelton said.
The state said that the January 1 fire was small. They believe that Pierce put it out, then came back three days later. The second fire was started using paint thinner Pierce found in the building, according to police. The state said Pierce is a former volunteer firefighter from Pennsylvania and is on parole for barn fires set in 2007, WESH reported.
Pierce is charged with two counts of arson to a structure and burglary of an unoccupied structure. He faces up to 45 years in prison, if convicted, WESH reported.
Officials said the golf course and clubhouse in this case had been closed for more than a year, WESH reported.
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