Police: Man tries to burn homeless out of woods | Crime

Hudson, Florida -- Pasco County deputies arrested a man accused of trying to clean out the woods of homeless people by setting fire to it.

According to the police report, around 12:20 p.m. on Feb. 1, several witnesses reported seeing 39-year-old Elton Gaffney running out of the woods as the fire started behind the Point Plaza on US 19 in Hudson.

Police say Gaffney made several threats to the homeless, who live in the woods. One woman told police he made direct threats to her he would burn her out of the woods.

All witnesses were able to identify Gaffney through a book of mug shots.

Gaffney, of Palm Harbor, is being charged with criminal mischief. He was already being held at Land O' Lakes Jail on robbery and simple battery charges from an arrest on Feb. 10.

The fire damaged three acres, as well as personal property.