Crime & Safety

Largo Man Charged with Arson in Apartment Fire

Michael Thomas Howard has been charged with second-degree arson and grand theft.

According to Largo Police, after learning of his eviction, Michael Thomas Howard allegedly drove to his ex-wife's house, picked up gunpowder and set fire to the Bay Pointe Apartment office. 

The Tampa Bay Times reported Howard, 51, "started to complain about his eviction to a Bay Pointe property manager."

The fire broke out just after 3 a.m. Saturday. Not long after, Howard told the same witness that he had been smoking with a torch at the apartment office, the report said.

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Howard is currently awaiting trial on a $15,000 bond. 

To read the rest of the Times report, click here. 

Find out what's happening in Largofor free with the latest updates from Patch.

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