Former NFL running back Javian A'Trell Hawkins is sitting in the Brevard County Jail after investigators say he torched several work trucks and badly damaged a West Melbourne landscaping business in a middle-of-the-night arson attack. Authorities allege the July 15 fire destroyed three company pickup trucks and spread to the exterior of Tropic Care of Florida's facility on Progress Circle. Hawkins, 26, is being held on multiple felony counts as he awaits his first court appearance.
Police: Suspect Allegedly Grabbed Gasoline, Lit Company Trucks
West Melbourne police say officers rolled up in the early morning hours of July 15 to find three pickup trucks fully involved and flames climbing the side of a commercial building, according to FOX 35 Orlando. Brevard County Fire Rescue put the fire out, but not before it chewed through the vehicles and burned part of the structure. Investigators allege the suspect slipped into a secured lot, pulled gasoline from an unlocked work vehicle and used it to ignite multiple company trucks, with the blaze then spreading into the business before firefighters stopped it.
How Detectives Say They Tied Hawkins To The Blaze
Detectives say it did not take long for the trail at Tropic Care to point to a familiar name. Surveillance video, witness interviews, physical evidence, and an accelerant-detection K-9 all helped investigators identify Javian A'Trell Hawkins as the person seen on camera, and he was arrested on July 16, according to The Space Coast Rocket. The investigation was handled jointly with the state's Bureau of Fire, Arson and Explosives, detectives told the outlet. Authorities say witnesses who knew Hawkins picked him out from the footage as other pieces of evidence came together.
Felony Counts Pile Up
Hawkins is facing a stack of serious charges. Local outlets list the counts as armed burglary, arson of a structure or business establishment, three counts of arson, and criminal mischief over $1,000. WFTV reports he is being held in the Brevard County Jail, and booking records cited in coverage put his bond in the roughly $280,000 to $300,000 range. Prosecutors will decide whether to file formal charges at his first court hearing.
Owner Says Workers And Neighbors Are Rallying
Tropic Care owner Tony Romano told reporters the company is already hustling to rebuild and keep paychecks flowing, calling the fire "an unfortunate situation" but adding that neighbors and the wider community have stepped in to help, WFTV reported. The landscaping business has served local clients for decades, and Romano said the team is still tallying damage to equipment and the building. As of the latest coverage, no community fundraisers or formal relief efforts had been reported.
From Cocoa High Star To Pro Football Journeyman
Before his name showed up in a probable cause affidavit, Hawkins was better known on the field. A Cocoa High graduate, he emerged as a standout at Louisville, where he put up significant rushing yardage that is logged on Sports-Reference. He later cycled through several NFL organizations and eventually landed on the Los Angeles Rams' practice squad during their Super Bowl LVI run, as local coverage has noted. His move to the Canadian ranks came when the Saskatchewan Roughriders announced his signing through OurSportsCentral.
What Florida Law Says About Arson And Burglary
Under Florida law, arson of a structure is treated as a major felony, and burglary penalties can climb when an accused person is armed or causes heavy damage, according to state statutes. Florida Senate materials outline first- and second-degree arson and the types of structures the law covers, while the burglary statute details when burglary becomes a first-degree offense. Sentencing ranges for those felony levels, which guide potential prison terms, are laid out in the state's penalty provisions on Online Sunshine.
What Comes Next In The Case
For now, Hawkins remains behind bars awaiting an initial appearance before a judge, and investigators say the case is still active as detectives review evidence and chase down additional leads, according to The Space Coast Rocket. Coverage notes that anyone with video or information about the July 15 fire has been asked to contact West Melbourne police. This story will be updated as court records or official statements are released.
