Man on Motorcycle Plows into Jewelry Shop, Tries to Set Himself on Fire

Sometime early last night, Juan Tojeiro got in a bit of a spat with his girlfriend. Apparently still furious after the argument, the 38-year-old Miami resident took the only logical revenge: He plowed his motorcycle through the front door of her jewelry shop, barricaded himself inside, and then tried to...

By Tim Elfrink

July 13, 2009

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Sometime early last night, Juan Tojeiro got in a bit of a spat with his girlfriend.

Apparently still furious after the argument, the 38-year-old Miami resident took the only logical revenge: He plowed his motorcycle through the front door of her jewelry shop, barricaded himself inside, and then tried to set himself and his bike on fire.

Police responded to a silent alarm at the store, named El Sol de Miami Joyeria, at 3419 SW Eighth St., a little before 8:30 p.m.

When they arrived, Tojeiro blocked the front door and threatened to set himself and the store on fire, says Det. William Moreno, a Miami PD spokesman. Tojeiro stuffed a cloth inside the gas tank of his motorcycle and set it aflame.

Fortunately, police talked Tojeiro down before the fire reached the fuel. He put out the flames, surrendered, and now faces one count of attempted arson.

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Tim Elfrink is a former investigative reporter and managing editor for Miami New Times. He has won the George Polk Award and was a finalist for the Goldsmith Prize for Investigative Reporting.

Contact: Tim Elfrink

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