Story Archive

Burning Mad II

When the front of a home burst into flame in Polk County, Fla., threatening three people inside, it was not only obviously arson, but it looked like the arsonist was sending a message: he used a flammable liquid to paint a giant heart in front of the bedroom window of a young woman who lived there. When police questioned the woman’s boyfriend, who had sent her text messages threatening to burn the house down, Jose Bernando Rosas Madrigal, 19, had a quick answer: he told investigators he saw “a random black guy” light the fire and run. Also, he told officers, it couldn’t have been him, since he was 25 miles away at his mother’s house. That broke down pretty quickly, especially since security camera footage allegedly shows Madrigal was there, and his cell phone history includes Google searches for things like “can you start charcoal with gasoline house on fire” and “x outside the house to burn up house.” Madrigal is charged with arson, and three counts of attempted murder. (RC/WFLA Tampa) ...A random obliviot, then.