Men Accused of Stealing, Setting Fire to Car

They stole a woman's car, drove it through the mud, then set fire to it, according to the Pasco County Sheriff's Office.

Blake Butler, Stephen John Shea and Taylor Hodge are accused of taking a Chevrolet Lumina from a Wesley Chapel home in September. The theft was reported Sept. 19, and the vehicle was discovered burned in Hillsborough County on Sept. 24.

The investigation led to the three co-defendants, who were arrested Oct. 6. Post-Miranda, Butler said he and the others took the car from the Wesley Chapel location and drove it to a muddy, wooded area in Hillsborough County, causing damage to the vehicle. When the car got stuck in the mud, Butler said Hodge set papers on fire inside of it, according to the arrest report.

Shea, 20, of Wesley Chapel was charged with grand theft/motor vehicle and violation of felony probation. He is being held in the Land O' Lakes jail without bond.

Hodge, 21, of Brooksville faces multiple charges, including grand theft/ motor vehicle, felon in possession of ammunition and possession of a controlled substance. He remained in the Land O'Lakes jail Monday in lieu of $22,450 bond.

Butler, 20, of Zephyrhills was charged with grand theft/motor vehicle. He remained in the Land O' Lakes jail Monday in lieu of $5,000 bond.