Florida man accused of setting fire to strip club and throwing urine-filled bottle at cop
Tampa Police say man shot his gun multiple times inside Pink Pony Showgirls strip club before setting it alight
A Florida man has been accused of setting fire to a strip club and throwing a urine-filled bottle at a cop.
Tampa Police said that the gunman fired his weapon multiple times inside the empty Pink Pony Showgirls strip club in Tampa at around 5 a.m. on Wednesday, and intentionally set it on fire.
Cops responded within minutes and apprehended the suspect as he was dragging brush into the burning structure, a Tampa Police spokesperson said. Pictures from the scene showed smoke billowing out of the building.
Officers say they retrieved a handgun from the suspect they named as Arvin Solimanpoor, 29, after he was taken into custody.
Tampa Police say that when he was in custody Solimanpoor complained he was thirsty and was given a water bottle by officers.
It is alleged he damaged a camera inside the police holding area, urinated in the empty bottle and threw it at an officer.
Solimanpoor is now facing charges of arson with injury, shooting within a building, weapon possession during a felony, battery on an officer, and criminal mischief. He was taken to Orient Road Jail.
Fire crews shut down traffic around the venue during the blaze at the strip club and advised residents to avoid the area. One firefighter was injured during the incident.
“While battling the fire, a Tampa Fire Rescue Firefighter was injured and transported to a local hospital, where he was treated for minor injuries and has since been released,” a statement from Tampa Police said.
Police said the investigation remains active.