A 59-year-old man was arrested by DeLand police after he allegedly covered several walls inside a local hotel with pepper spray, prompting an evacuation.
On Friday, April 12, DeLand Fire Department and Volusia County Fire Rescue units responded to the Holiday Inn Express and Suites located at 180 Fenway Drive in DeLand. Upon arrival, hotel staff informed firefighters that an “unknown odor” was causing guests to have respiratory issues, according to DFD.
Firefighters quickly entered the hotel and assisted with evacuating the building. One guest was transported to a local hospital for treatment of unspecified injuries, and three others were evaluated by paramedics on scene.
DeLand Police Department officers arrived at the hotel and conducted an investigation. They determined that an individual, later identified as Daniel Young, had “sprayed pepper spray on the walls of the (hotel’s) second-floor hallway,” according to DPD.
Young was located by officers, and he was taken into custody without incident. A criminal history search of Young revealed that he has a prior felony conviction.
After being placed under arrest, Young was transported to Volusia County Jail, and he was released the same day on his own recognizance. He is being charged with criminal mischief ($1,000 or more) and possession of a weapon (chemical) by a convicted felon.