The family dog, Bailey, was in the house when it was set on fire, but was not injured, the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office said. Deputies said the suspect may have committed other burglaries.

SEMINOLE – A man has been arrested in connection with the burglary and arson of a home in the unincorporated Seminole area, the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office said.

Austin Michael Lang, 19, of Seminole, was charged with three counts of burglary and one count each of possession of a control substance and arson in the third degree.

Deputies were called to a residence on Flame Vine Avenue in unincorporated Seminole about 2:40 p.m. Tuesday (April 17) for a report of a suspicious fire inside the home. Seminole Fire Rescue also responded and extinguished a small fire in the laundry room, which was later determined to have been intentionally set. Detectives said the fire caused minor property damage and no one was injured.

The homeowner, Lance Klipper, told deputies he discovered the fire and burglary when he returned home from work.

The home appeared ransacked and the family dog, Bailey, was missing along with other valuables. Deputies said Bailey was later found uninjured although he had been in the home when the fire was started.

Deputies got surveillance video of a man knocking on the front door. He then went to the rear of the home. About an hour later, the suspect , identified as Lang, is seen on video walking down the driveway with suitcases and bags.

Deputies said Lang admitted the burglary and setting the fire. Detectives said they found stolen items inside Lang’s home from the burglary and from other burglaries committed in the area.

Anyone with information and or who may be a victim of a burglary related to this investigation is asked to contact Detective Larry McLean of the Arson & Auto Theft Unit at (727) 582-6399, lmclean@pcsonet.com, Or contact Cpl. T. Flanigan of the Burglary & Pawn Unit at (727) 582-6945, tflanigan@pcsonet.com.

Photo of Bailey and photo taken from surveillance camera courtesy of the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office.

Pinellas Sheriff | Crime | Arson | Burglary | Arrests | Tampabay News

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