Suspected arsonist caught after fingertip found at crime scene, police say

[lewisipso]

Police arrested a suspect in an arsonist-for-hire in Titusville after they said he made a critical mistake — he left the tip of his finger at the scene of the crime.

Meanwhile, detectives are seeking the public's help in finding the man they say was trying to pull off an insurance scam by burning down his house.

Police were called to a fire at a home on North Dixie Avenue about 11:15 a.m. Saturday.

While they were investigating, police said, they discovered evidence of accelerants, leading them to determine that the fire was likely an arson.

Then, while sifting through evidence, officers got a tip — literally. They found a piece of a latex glove with the tip of a finger inside.

Police said they found their suspect at a local hospital. They matched the tip to 24-year-old Ismael Ortiz, who detectives said quickly confessed.

But how did the suspect clip his tip? Detective Jessica Edens explained: Trying to flee after setting the fire, "he slammed his finger in the door," Edens said, "and it cut the tip of his finger off."

Finger found at suspected arson: Suspected arsonist caught after fingertip found at crime scene, police say - OrlandoSentinel.com

[Captain America]

Alternate title of the story:

Police Finger Suspect in Arson Case.

[jmur5074]

Oh man. Good work on there but part but slamming your finger in a door hurts like hell as it is, I can't imagine losing your finger tip in the process.

[Pudge]

Good to see he was pointed out.


There's a lesson to be learned here, folks. Always follow your tips, no matter how small.