Patrol-Car Arson Suspect ID'd, Arrested

Date Added: May 15, 2017 10:35 am

Andrew Gant
Public Information Office

PATROL-CAR ARSON SUSPECT ID’D, ARRESTED

A career criminal suspected in last year’s torching of a patrol car as a “welcome mat” for Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood is in custody on arson and other charges – linked to the crime by the sound of his voice and evidence at the scene.

Frederick Davis, 40 (DOB 7/15/1976), of Daytona Beach, was arrested Friday in Seminole County, where he’s being held on charges out of Seminole, Volusia and Orange counties.

The fire happened the morning of Sept. 23, 2016, at an AAMCO Transmissions shop in Holly Hill, where a VCSO patrol car was in for service. It was torched along with another vehicle parked at the lot. While processing the scene, deputies found evidence that linked Davis to the scene.

The Sheriff’s Office also received 911 calls from the person claiming responsibility for the fire. In his call, the suspect made a point to say he wanted to leave a message for then-Sheriff-Elect Chitwood. Using strong language, he said the arson was a “welcome mat” for the new sheriff. He ended his final call by saying “trace that, b****!”

The call was traced to a stolen cell phone that had made its way to the streets of Daytona Beach.

As the investigation continued, detectives pulled a 2015 courtroom recording with audio of Davis’ voice and compared it to the arsonist on the phone. The voices matched.

Davis was being held Monday at the Seminole County Jail in a no-bond status for a fleeing or attempting to elude charge, in addition to several other charges carrying a total bond of $128,000.