Homeless Man Charged with First-Degree Arson After Structure Fire Breaks Out in Cocoa Beach
By Space Coast Daily // March 23, 2022
Anthony A. Hoaglin, 22, charged with First-Degree Arson of an Occupied Structure
BREVARD COUNTY • COCOA BEACH, FLORIDA – Cocoa Beach Police have arrested a homeless man after he allegedly committed first-degree arson of an occupied structure Sunday night (March 20).
Anthony A. Hoaglin, 22, was arrested shortly after Cocoa Beach Police received a call of a structure fire at 266 N. Atlantic Ave. on Sunday evening at around 11 p.m.
A witness who was passing by the area observed a fire above the roof line of a building and stopped to ensure everything was okay. That is when they observed Hoaglin walking toward the fire with a lawn chair.
Hoaglin then walked away, empty-handed, grabbed another lawn chair, and proceeded back toward the fire.
Responding officers arrived on-scene, followed by Detective Joe Smith, who say after speaking with the witnesses and the occupants of the business/residence, as well as viewing surveillance video, it was determined that Hoaglin allegedly added several items to burning trash bins that were alongside the structure with the intent to “fuel” the fire.
Hoaglin was still in the area and was taken into custody, charged with 1st Degree Arson of an Occupied Structure and transported to the county jail.
