A Miami-Dade man, Giancarlo Quarta, is now facing serious charges after allegedly setting fire to a Michaels art supply store in the Kendall area. The store, located at 8354 S. Dixie Highway within the Dadeland Station shopping center, fell victim to arson on April 1. According to arrest documents obtained by Local 10, Quarta, 30, was identified by deputies as the person who intentionally set fire to the rear door of the Michaels store.
Quarta, who had been detained on unrelated charges by the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office, admitted to his role in the arson case yesterday. The specifics of his confession remain undisclosed in the arrest records. After this admission, Quarta was booked into the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center. As of this morning, details concerning his bond were reported to be set. Quarta's run-ins with the law don't end with the fire at Michaels – a mugshot and additional charges have been posted to a local database, Miami Dade FL Mugshots Zone.
Further compounding Quarta's legal troubles are a series of other allegations. These include burglary of an unoccupied dwelling, resisting an officer with violence to his person, for which he faces 2 counts with a bond set at $2,500, and 4 counts of criminal mischief with damages exceeding $1,000, again with a bond of $2,500. Arson in the first degree is another grave charge leveled at Quarta, with bond information currently pending.
Investigators have not yet released any motive for the arson incident, nor have they detailed the manner in which Quarta was initially linked to the crime. The public record merely states that following an arson investigation, his connection to the fire was established. Giancarlo Quarta is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law, and updates on this case are likely to be forthcoming as it progresses through the judicial system.
