Man Set Tampa Strip Club On Fire, Shot Gun In Building: Police

TAMPA, FL — A man was arrested after setting fire to a strip club early Wednesday morning, authorities said.

Arvin Solimanpoor, 29, went into Pink Pony Showgirls at 5215 N. Lois Ave. just before 5 a.m. and intentionally set it on fire, according to a Tampa Police Department news release.

A witness told investigators that Solimanpoor also fired a gun multiple times while inside the unoccupied building.

Tampa Police officers arrived within minutes and apprehended Solimanpoor as he was dragging brush into the burning structure. Officers also found a handgun on him and detained him for questioning at a district office.

While battling the fire, a Tampa Fire Rescue firefighter was injured and brought to a local hospital, where he was treated for minor injuries and has since been released, police said.

During his time in custody at the office, Solimanpoor complained of thirst and was given a bottle of water. After damaging a camera inside the holding area, he urinated into the empty water bottle and threw the contents onto a uniformed officer, police said.

Solimanpoor was charged with arson with injury; shooting at, within or into a building; possession of a weapon during the commission of a felony; battery on a law enforcement officer; and felony criminal mischief.