Police investigate after several cars set on fire

EUSTIS, Fla. (WOFL FOX 35) - Eustis police officers are looking for an arsonist believed to have set several cars on fire in a parking lot on Sunday.  They are also trying to figure out whether the suspect left a cryptic message in graffiti near the scene. 

Officers and fire crews were called to a medical office parking lot on Prevatt St. at around 6:45 Sunday night. They say around 10 car were torched.  On Monday, there were still cars covered in tarps in the lot.  Right across the street, a business owner found a bizarre message spray-painted on his building. He says it happened the same night. 

“I was very surprised that it took the whole length of my building,” said Dr. Gary Stoltz, a chiropractor. “I think that there’s somebody who has a problem with the sex offender website and that’s what it’s all about.” 

The writer seems to ask that “low grade” offenders be taken off of the state’s sex offender site. There’s also an address and date at the beginning of the message. 

We went to that location on David Walker Drive. Investigators say someone spray painted a similar message on the back of a doctor’s office there last month.  

According to the incident report it said, “I AM A SEX OFFENDER MESSAGE TO LCSO.ORG. REGISTATION NEEDS TO CALL F.D.L.E TO REMOVE LOW GRADE SEX OFF. OFF FDLE WEBSITE ONE OFF. DOES NOT NEED TO BE THERE Comply BY THIS DATE 10/22/18 OR ONE PIECE OF LAKE PROPERTY WILL BURN.”  

Eustis Police say they’re looking into whether the graffiti and fires are related. 

Eustis Police also wants people to call 1-800-423-TIPS if they have any information on the identity or location of the person(s) involved in this incident. Tips can also be given online HERE or via text at 274637.