68-Year Old Patron Accused Of Setting Fire To Restaurant
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WILTON MANORS (CBSMiami) -- Wilton Manors Police arrested a 68-year old man accused of lighting a business on fire.
Officers arrested Julio "The Rabbi" Edwards, who is a known patron of the Tropics Piano Bar and Grill, according to employees.
Detectives said they were able to connect Edwards to the fire thanks to surveillance footage and the help of the business' employees.
On February 11th, police said, the manager of the business called after he found red ashes at the back door and smelled smoke when he arrived in the morning.
Officers and employees later went through the surveillance footage and saw a man dressed in all white clothing, holding a large cup with an unidentified flammable liquid.
The man was then seen throwing the liquid from the cup onto a wood fence and the back door before lighting the fence on fire.
Police said once the employees identified the man on surveillance as Edwards, he was arrested shortly after.
Employees of the business also said they had asked police to issue a trespass warning on Edwards just three days before.
Edwards is being held with no bond and is charged with Arson, Burglary of a Business and Possession of Marijuana.