A security patrol truck parked outside the West Oaks Mall food court in Ocoee went up in flames early Wednesday morning, and a 19-year-old man is currently being held in Orange County jail with no bond.
According to an arrest document obtained by WKMG ClickOrlando, cops were dispatched about 12:39 a.m. to investigate a small fire on the rear left side of a white Ford Maverick patrol pickup. Fire crews swiftly extinguished the flames, and no injuries were reported, but the matter quickly escalated from a nuisance fire to a felony charge.
According to investigators, firefighters found an object with a black paper backing labeled “gofireproducts” near the charred area. A search of a nearby drain revealed a pair of orange gloves. Security footage purportedly shows a man approaching the truck and then moving into the same drain. Police later identified the individual as Daniel Wright, 19, and arrested him on counts of second-degree arson and criminal mischief.
The statement describes police working backward from the burning truck, utilizing the mall’s video system. Investigators monitored the suspect’s movements through the home, noticing a significant bulge under a sweatshirt in the film. According to police, physical evidence recovered from the drain was subsequently utilized to connect the person captured on camera to the scene. A subsequent stop resulted in Wright’s arrest. Authorities have not said what they believe the motivation was.
Chapter 806 of the Florida Statutes covers arson and criminal mischief. Second-degree arson, a felony under state law, refers to purposeful and unlawful flames that cause property damage. Criminal mischief can be charged as a misdemeanor or a felony, depending on the extent of the damage and the scope of the impact. According to Florida Statutes, fines increase with the severity of the accused conduct and the specific circumstances surrounding the case.
In terms of police enforcement, West Oaks Mall has not been without incident. Late last year, Ocoee police conducted a sweep that recovered counterfeit products from multiple establishments in the shopping area. Detectives gathered business records and products that they claim were being offered as counterfeit luxury goods.
Wright remains in detention at the Orange County Jail with no bond while the investigation is ongoing. Detectives are requesting anyone with more information to contact Ocoee police. Further information, such as whether prosecutors may enhance charges or whether additional arrests are planned, was not immediately available, according to WKMG ClickOrlando.
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