Arson Arrest Made In Downtown Tampa Car Fire: Police

TAMPA, FL — A man was arrested in an Thursday arson case that affected early morning downtown traffic, Tampa police said in a news release.

Officers responded to a report of a man trying to break into a vehicle near the intersection of N. Ashley Avenue and W. Polk Street just before 8:30 a.m.

A few minutes later, another call was received that the same vehicle was now on fire, police said.
Responding officers found a black BMW burning from the interior with a smashed rear window. Tampa Fire Rescue quickly arrived to extinguish the flames.

The vehicle’s owner told investigators that his girlfriend had ongoing domestic violence and stalking issues with her ex-boyfriend, immediately suggesting a possible suspect, police said.

Serxhio Nokaj, 29, was arrested on Bay Court Avenue and charged with arson, burglary of an unoccupied conveyance, felony criminal mischief, possession of cannabis (more than 20 grams) and possession of drug paraphernalia.

He also had two active warrants for failure to appear - stalking and failure to appear - battery (domestic violence).

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