South Tampa Thai restaurant torched, owner’s stepson charged with arson
Tampa Fire Rescue rushed to the scene of a two-alarm fire Tuesday to find a popular South Tampa eatery and market engulfed in flames.
The charred remains of the Thai Market and Kitchen Photo: The Global Dispatch/Robert Herriman
The establishment that stood for decades, the at 3325 S. Dale Mabry, just north of El Prado Blvd, stands today as charred remains and rubble.
A man was seen running from the scene of the restaurant wearing gloves and carrying a black backpack. Police soon caught the suspect.
WTSP.com reported at the time that investigators say it was clearly arson. They say the fire was started in multiple locations to conceal a robbery.
The bizarre twist to this story was the arsonist. Arrested is 34-year-old James Nettles, the estranged stepson of Thai Market and Kitchen owner, Judy Rolison.
Nettles, who after 14 years, showed up seeking help a few weeks ago according to John Merritt, Rolison’s son.
Merritt explained the situation to TBO.com saying that his mom helped Nettles as much as she could, even giving him a place to stay. “I am dumbfounded,” Merritt said.
Nettles was charged with arson, burglary and resisting arrest without violence. In addition, he also was charged with violating his probation on a pair of 2011 burglary and grand theft charges. Florida Department of Corrections records list him as an absconder. He was sentenced in January to four years probation.
