Patel is still in critical condition.
By The American Bazaar Staff
WASHINGTON, DC: Police have arrested a suspect in a robbery and arson case at a Lake Wales motel in Florida that left the motel manager Harikrishna Patel in critical condition.
John McMullen, 35, was arrested Tuesday in Donaldson, Louisiana, by detectives who were investigating a theft at a local store, reported Bay News9
McMullen was wanted in connection with the robbery and arson, which happened Saturday morning at the London Inn Motel on U.S. 27.
The Ledger reported that Patel, 59, was tied up by McMullen about 5:15 a.m. Saturday. The man, accompanied by a blonde woman, came into Patel’s office, tied him up, attacked him and took his wallet, jewelry and car keys, according to police.
Police said the man then set clothing on fire and threw the clothing on a couch. The man, who Patel described as 6 feet 230 pounds, then left with the woman in Patel’s 1998 Toyota Camry, according to police. Patel was able to free himself from the cord, but could not put out the fire which damaged the lobby, an adjoining room and the guest room closest to the lobby.
Police said they have been unable to talk further to Patel because of his injuries. As of Tuesday afternoon, he was in critical but stable condition at Tampa General Hospital, reported the Ledger.
Police said that the motorcycle, a 1997 Suzuki GS500E, was taken from the motel parking lot late Friday night or early Saturday. It was found Tuesday in a room at the motel, police said. It is not known whether the two incidents are related.
According to the Lake Wales Police Department, Ascension Parish deputies pulled over McMullen, who was driving the suspect vehicle from the theft in Donaldson. That suspect vehicle was identified as the 1998 Toyota Camry stolen from Patel, police said, reported News9.
At some point during the traffic stop, shots were fired at one of their deputies. After an extensive search, deputies said McMullen was arrested at about 8 p.m. Tuesday. Deputies also took Jennifer D. McGhee, 27, and Chadwick Schwender, 27, both of Lake Wales, into custody.
Police said McMullen has an extensive criminal history that includes a sentence for grand theft and attempted burglary. He was released from Florida State Prison in April 2014.