– Update Friday, May 23 11:00 AM –
Lakeland Man with Extensive Criminal History Arrested for Arson and Attempted Murder After House Fire
Lakeland, FL — May 23, 2025 — A 69 year old Lakeland man, Eddie Thomas, was arrested on May 20, 2025, by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, charged with five counts of attempted first-degree murder and first-degree arson following a devastating house fire on Dawn Heights Drive.
The blaze, which occurred at approximately 3:15 a.m. on May 15, 2025, left two residents seriously injured and the home declared a total loss. Sheriff Grady Judd described the incident as a “deliberate and dangerous act” that endangered multiple lives. Detectives determined that Thomas, a resident of the home, started the fire after a dispute.
According to the Sheriff’s Office, Thomas entered another resident’s bedroom at around 3:15 a.m., requesting a ride and later jumper cables, while holding a plastic milk jug containing an unknown liquid. When denied, he left the room. Moments later, the victim smelled gasoline, heard a “boom,” and found flames in the hallway.
Five residents were inside the home at the time. One victim, who uses a walker due to limited mobility, suffered burns to his hands and feet while crawling to escape after falling in the fiery hallway. He was transported to a local hospital and later transferred to a burn care facility in Bradenton. Another resident, awakened by shouts of “fire,” was forced to crawl out of a bedroom window due to intense flames blocking the hallway. A third victim fell over another resident while attempting to flee through the front door. A fourth victim reported hearing splashing noises, smelling kerosene, and hearing a sound like a fire igniting before escaping; he also observed a trail of fire from an oak tree in the front yard leading into the house. The fifth victim, requiring emergency surgery for severe injuries, could not be interviewed.
All victims reported a strong gasoline odor and noted the hallway floor was wet and slippery. State Fire Marshal investigators, assisted by a canine unit, identified six accelerant alert points and two pour patterns at the scene.
Two victims witnessed Thomas fleeing the scene in his red Chevrolet truck. The landlord reported that Thomas, who had lived in the home since 2023, was recently served an eviction notice for unpaid rent, requiring him to vacate by May 20, 2025, following ongoing disputes.
Thomas has an extensive criminal history, including:
• October 28, 1975: Arrested by Polk County Sheriff’s Office for burglary and grand theft. Served 14 days in jail and received 5 years probation.
• November 1975: Arrested by Winter Haven Police Department for false report of a crime while on probation. Served 25 days in jail.
• May 22, 1986: Arrested by Bartow Police Department for burglary and second-degree murder. Shot estranged wife with a .410-gauge shotgun in front of their children, described as premeditated by Sheriff Judd. Fled scene, vehicle caught fire, and Thomas sustained burns over 60% of his body in a suspected suicide attempt. Convicted of second-degree murder, burglary, grand theft, grand theft of a motor vehicle, and grand theft of a firearm. Sentenced to 17 years in prison and 5 years probation.
• August 1997: Arrested for violation of probation after release from prison.
• February 1998: Booked into state prison for violation of probation. Released after 4 years.
• August 2007: Arrested for sexual battery with a deadly weapon and assault with a deadly weapon.
• March 2008: Pled no contest to lewd or lascivious contact with a victim aged 12–16. Sentenced to 15 years in prison and required to register as a sex offender.
• 2020: Released after serving 75% of 2008 sentence.
• 2021: Arrested for violation of probation due to failure to comply with sex offender law requirements. Served 2 years in prison.
• May 15, 2025: Charged with five counts of attempted first-degree murder and first-degree arson for the Dawn Heights Drive fire.
“This was a deliberate and dangerous act that put multiple lives at risk,” Sheriff Judd stated. “Eddie Thomas showed a complete disregard for human life yet again when he set this fire, knowing the victims were inside. Thanks to our detectives, we have him in custody, and justice will be served.”
Thomas remains in custody as the investigation continues. The Polk County Sheriff’s Office urges anyone with additional information to come forward. Nothing further at this time.
– Initial Report Friday, May 23 7:00 AM –
Winter Haven, FL – On Friday, May 23, 2025, at 10:00 a.m., Sheriff Grady Judd will hold a media briefing at the Polk County Sheriff’s Office Operations Center to discuss the arrest of a Lakeland man charged with five counts of attempted first-degree murder and arson.
The suspect, whose identity will be revealed during the press conference, allegedly set a house on fire at night while his roommates were asleep in their beds, in a deliberate act that authorities say could have resulted in multiple fatalities.
According to preliminary information, the suspect has a significant criminal history, including a murder conviction from 1986 for which he served 17 years in prison. Sheriff Judd is expected to provide further details about the incident, the investigation, and the suspect’s background during the briefing. Nothing further at this time.
