Hillsborough deputies said a tipster led them to him in Manatee County.

WIMAUMA – A man accused of firebombing a porch was arrested Thursday (May 23) night, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office said.

Jeffery Michael Tomko, 28, was charged with one count of arson. Deputies said they identified and arrested him in Manatee County after receiving a tip from a member of the public.

Around 12:30 a.m. Thursday, a man later identified as Tomko, placed a bottle containing an unknown substance with a paper wick on the porch of a home on the 16000 block of Carlton Lake Road in Wimauma.

Deputies said Tomko then ignited the device causing a small explosion. He then fled westbound on foot.

The fire continued to burn on the porch until a neighbor alerted the resident of the home, who came outside and put out the fire with a garden hose. The incident was captured by the resident’s home surveillance camera. (Click here for video.)

About $100 of damage was done to the residence.

Photo shows Jeffrey Michael Tomko from a 2018 arrest.

Hillsborough Sheriff | Crime | Arson | Arrests | Tampabay News

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