Two Florida men allegedly broke into an ex-flame’s home and stole several items before attempting to start a fire by leaving a boiling pot of spaghetti sauce and placing a washcloth near the burner.
Per WESH, the victim called 911 Tuesday morning after a security camera at his DeLand home detected motion and filmed someone covering the camera with a towel. The victim reportedly left for work at 2 a.m. but he received a phone alert from his home surveillance system just before 7 a.m.
Police reportedly spotted a red Lincoln Navigator leaving the residence. Police conducted a stop and driver John Silva, 28, and passenger Derrick Irving, 36, (pictured left and right) allegedly explained they were picking up clothes from the victim’s home. The victim revealed to WKMG that Irving was wearing a bull costume at the time.
Deputies immediately smelled smoke upon entering the home. A report stated they found a boiling pot of spaghetti sauce on the stove and a washcloth on the burner that started to catch fire.
“He was trying to make it look like I left the stove on but who gets up 2 a.m. and fixes sketti,” the victim asked.
Police said the pair originally denied burglarizing the home, claiming that Irving told Silva that he lived at the home and needed someone to drive him there to pick up a few items.
Police claimed that Irving ultimately admitted to being angry about something that happened in the past relationship, which he said led to him burglarize the man’s home before attempting to set it on fire. While Silva and Irving allegedly told deputies that they both had romantic and sexual dealings with the victim, the victim claimed he didn’t know Silva.
“It started out as a relationship, that lasted about a week,” the victim said of his involvement with Irving. “I’ve let him use my car for four months, maybe he’s angry about that. Or maybe he’s angry because I gave him $150 to fix his teeth.”
According to WESH, Silva and Irving allegedly stole a flat-screen television, air conditioning unit, and other items from the DeLand home.
Both men were arrested and charged with unarmed burglary, grand theft, and arson. Silva is being held on $25,500 bond while Irving is being held without bond because he violated his probation, officials said.
[Featured Image: John Silva, Derrick Irving/Volusia County Sheriff’s Office]
