Arson Arrests In LaBelle

On July 11, 2004, Sunday morning at approximately 7:17am, deputies were
called to 4050 Ft. Denaud Road after receiving a call from Amanda Brown
reporting that her vehicle had just been stolen. When deputies arrived,
Brown reported to them that her mother had witnessed Jacob McDade and James
Townsend leaving her home early that morning in her vehicle, and a short
time later heard is strike a mailbox a short distance from her home. Later
in the morning investigators were asked to respond to the area of Grandma's
Grove on St Rd 80 to look into the possible arson of a vehicle that had
been identified as the belonging to Amanda Brown. A joint investigation
with the Hendry County Sheriffs Office and the State Fire Marshal's Office
revealed that the vehicle had been intentionally set on fire, and through
interviews with the suspects both individuals were placed under arrest and
taken to the Hendry County Jail.
James Roland Townsend, 20 years of age, was arrested and charged with Grand
Theft Auto. Townsend is currently released on bond. Jacob Aaron McDade,
24 years of age, was arrested and charged with Grand Theft Auto and Arson
and is presently in the Hendry County Jail.