A 53-year-old man was taken into custody on Tuesday, July 7, after allegedly storming into a Cuban and Brazilian restaurant in Tampa armed with two knives, igniting the establishment with a flaming propane tank, and injuring an employee who tried to stop him, according to the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office.
The suspect, identified as Rubiel Maceo Castillo, was found inside the burning building when deputies arrived at the scene around 8:45 a.m.
Authorities were dispatched following a call reporting an assault at Estrela Brasil Café, located at 8206 West Waters Avenue in the Town 'N' Country area.
Inside the Restaurant: A Violent Outburst
Court documents reveal that Castillo allegedly threatened his wife, believed to be the business owner, with the words, "You will no longer have the business," prior to the attack.
Castillo reportedly grabbed two knives, charged at several individuals inside the restaurant, severed the gas line connected to a grill, ignited a propane tank, and introduced it into the restaurant as flames spread.
Surveillance footage released by authorities shows the suspect, whose nationality has not been disclosed, walking through the restaurant with the burning tank and smashing the establishment's refrigerator with a frying pan.
Upon arrival, deputies found the restaurant engulfed in smoke and flames, with another propane tank ablaze outside the building.
Confrontation and Arrest
"Drop the knife right now!" officers commanded Castillo, who was still inside the restaurant holding two knives. The body cam footage captures an officer shouting, "Drop the knife right now. Do it now!"
After successfully getting Castillo to exit the building, Hillsborough County Fire Rescue firefighters extinguished the blaze, and officers proceeded with the arrest. No fatalities were reported.
Employee Injured During the Chaos
A female employee, identified as Teresa in Univision Tampa's coverage, sustained a wrist injury from one of the knives while attempting to intervene.
"He cut me. I got a small cut... But I'm okay now," Teresa recounted, describing the terrifying moments she experienced. Authorities confirmed her injuries were not life-threatening.
Panic Among Nearby Businesses
An employee from a neighboring business described the confusion during the incident. "We heard banging on the walls in the morning but thought it was just some repairs being done next door," they told Univision Tampa.
"When I looked out, I saw two police officers with guns pointed at the business next door and later saw them running out with their weapons. That's when we got really scared," they added.
Local business owners stated it's the first time they've witnessed such a situation in the area.
Legal Consequences for Castillo
Castillo was booked into Hillsborough County Jail without bond and is facing charges, including first-degree arson of an occupied structure, two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, aggravated battery causing great bodily harm, and criminal mischief over $1,000.
While authorities have not publicly disclosed the official motive, investigators suspect the incident stemmed from a domestic dispute between Castillo and his wife.
The restaurant has since repaired the damages and reopened to the public.
Castillo's pretrial detention hearing is scheduled for July 13.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Tampa Restaurant Incident
What charges does Rubiel Maceo Castillo face?
Rubiel Maceo Castillo is facing charges of first-degree arson of an occupied structure, two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, aggravated battery causing great bodily harm, and criminal mischief over $1,000.
What led to the incident at Estrela Brasil Café?
While the official motive has not been disclosed, investigators believe the incident was triggered by a domestic dispute between Rubiel Maceo Castillo and his wife.
Were there any injuries reported during the incident?
Yes, an employee named Teresa was injured with a wrist cut while trying to stop Castillo. Her injuries were not life-threatening.