Suspect in arson at Satchel’s Pizza was known to GPD for “concerning” social media posts

Staff report

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Legrand Alvarez Tacogdoy, 42, was arrested yesterday for setting fires in a van used by diners at Satchel’s Pizza; Gainesville Police Department had distributed a Situational Awareness Bulletin about him on November 27 because of “concerning statements/posts on social media.”

At about 8:20 a.m. on December 15, surveillance cameras at Satchel’s Pizza (1800 NE 23rd Avenue) reportedly captured Tacogdoy placing multiple paper items into the back of a van that had been remodeled with a table and seating for restaurant customers. Over the next four minutes, Tacogdoy reportedly continued loading paper products into the van and writing messages on the back windows and seats.

The messages included, “Shaun Ashton did this,” “V2K call the FBI,” “Destroy Shaun Ashton and Delilah,” and “Baku Productions V2K.”

At 8:32 a.m., the video reportedly shows Tacogdoy entering the rear of the van, climbing out, grabbing his bag, and quickly walking away. Nine minutes later, Satchel Raye, the owner of Satchel’s, discovered that the van was on fire.

The investigation into the fire reportedly found that napkins and newspapers were ignited in the back of the van; these are the same items Tacogdoy was allegedly placing in the back of the van.

Raye and other employees of the business posted images and videos on Facebook, leading to multiple tips about the identity of the suspect, and Raye called 911 to report the identity provided by these tips. Raye also reportedly told the 911 call-taker that employees have allowed Tacogdoy to sleep in the van in the past because he is homeless. According to court records, Tacogdoy was evicted from a residence owned by family members in September after a judge agreed that he had not complied with his rental contract.

An employee of TB Goods, a pawn shop, also contacted Raye to say that Tacogdoy was a regular customer; she provided video from the shop from December 14 that reportedly showed Tacogdoy wearing the same clothes shown in the video from Satchel’s Pizza.

On November 27, GPD distributed a Situational Awareness Bulletin that said Tacogdoy had been making “several concerning statements/posts on social media, to include claims that the government has been poisoning him, and photos of an impromptu visit to the FBI in Washington, DC (for unknown reasons).” Tacogdoy also reportedly posted a photo of three men on his Facebook page on October 24 with a caption that read, “Physical depiction of Roberto, Andre, and Shaun Ashton.”

According to the arrest report, Tacogdoy has been diagnosed with schizophrenia and is not currently taking his medication.

The fires caused over $2,000 in damage to the business.

A sworn complaint was also filed against Tacogdoy for a November 22 incident in which he allegedly stole a pair of binoculars worth $159 from the Butler Plaza Walmart; when he was stopped by a Loss Prevention Officer, Tacogdoy reportedly said he intended to use the binoculars for hunting.

Another sworn complaint was filed against him in June for petit theft and property damage, but that report has not been uploaded to the court system. He was issued a Notice to Appear in that case in late November.

Tacogdoy has been charged with second-degree arson and property damage over $1,000 in this case. He has juvenile criminal convictions between 1998 and 2000 but no adult criminal convictions. Judge Kristine Van Vorst ordered him held without bail pending a hearing on a motion from the State Attorney’s office to hold with without bail until trial.

Articles about arrests are based on reports from law enforcement agencies. The charges listed are taken from the arrest report and/or court records and are only accusations. All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.