Charged! Melbourne Man Accused Of Setting 2023 House Fire Leading To Homeless Person’s Death
DEBARYLIFE – A 43-year-old man has been detained in Volusia County by Melbourne police on suspicion of starting a house fire in 2023 that left a homeless person fatally burned.
Following a thorough investigation following David Herles’s death on November 15, 2023, Theodore Noe was charged with first-degree murder and arson of a house, according to a Melbourne police report.
Following a summons to a residence in the 1800 block of Guava Avenue by the Melbourne Fire Department, Herles was discovered to have suffered significant burns. Later that day, Herles passed away at the burn unit of Orlando Regional Medical Center.
“Noe is being held without bond while his extradition is being processed. According to Melbourne Police Department Sgt. Ben Slover, “We’re waiting to bring him back on extradition.”
In the process of figuring out what started the fire, detectives and state arson investigators discovered that Noe and Herles had been residing on the porch. Since both were homeless, authorities said, they were granted permission to utilize the rear porch as a makeshift shelter.
If there had been any more injuries prior to the fire, as well as any possible motive, these details were not immediately available. Detectives requested an arrest warrant for Noe in April. Noe was working in the city when Port Orange Police found him, and they apprehended him without any problems.
On Monday, Noe was placed under arrest at the Volusia County Jail with no bond. For his initial appearance, he is anticipated to be extradited to Brevard County.