TAMPA — A man was arrested after deputies say he carried a flaming propane tank through a downtown restaurant and threatened people with two knives, sparking a fire that responders extinguished early Tuesday morning.
Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded about 8:45 a.m. to a report of an assault or battery in progress at the restaurant, according to the sheriff’s office. When they arrived, they found the building filled with smoke and flames. A propane tank outside the restaurant also was on fire.
What deputies say happened
Authorities identified the suspect as Rubiel Maceo Castillo, 53. Deputies say Castillo remained inside the smoke-filled restaurant holding two knives and repeatedly refused orders to drop them.
"Drop the knife now. Do it now,"
The words in the blockquote were captured on deputy body-worn camera, which the sheriff’s office has released along with surveillance video that appears to show a man carrying a burning propane tank through the dining area.
Court documents obtained by WFLA-TV allege Castillo charged at multiple people and cut a woman on the wrist when she tried to intervene. Investigators say he then cut a gas line attached to a grill, grabbed a propane tank and ignited the blaze.
Response and arrest
Hillsborough County deputies worked alongside Hillsborough County Fire Rescue crews to put out the fire before taking Castillo into custody. He was booked into the Hillsborough County jail and is being held without bond, the sheriff’s office said.
| Time | Event |
|---|---|
| ~8:45 a.m. | Deputies respond to reported assault or battery |
| On arrival | Restaurant found with smoke, flames; propane tank outside on fire |
| Afterward | Suspect detained; fire extinguished; one woman reported cut on wrist |
Impact and evidence
Surveillance footage released by the sheriff’s office shows the fire spreading inside the business as a man carries a flaming tank. Body camera video captures deputies ordering the suspect to drop the knives and exit the building, then assisting in putting out the blaze.
- Suspect: Rubiel Maceo Castillo, 53
- Allegations: Armed with two knives, ignited a propane tank, started a fire, allegedly cut a woman on the wrist
- Agencies on scene: Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office and Hillsborough County Fire Rescue
The sheriff’s office provided the surveillance and body-worn camera clips publicly. Court documents reviewed by local media detail the alleged sequence of events, but no additional charges, motives or victim conditions beyond the wrist injury were released in the initial statement.
The incident briefly endangered patrons and staff and prompted a coordinated law enforcement and fire response. The sheriff’s office continues to investigate; further information, including charges filed in court, will be available through county records as the case proceeds.
— Mateo Rivera, Florida Correspondent
