Moment Missouri woman argues with Puerto Rican bar staff before burning business down and fleeing to the US
A Missouri woman has been accused of setting a bar on fire and burning it down while on vacation in Puerto Rico before fleeing back to the US.
A Missouri woman has been accused of setting a bar on fire and burning it down while on vacation in Puerto Rico before fleeing back to the US.
Danielle Bertothy, of St. Peters, is accused by Puerto Rican authorities of using gasoline to start a fire that burned down Bar Marea in Cabo Rojo on January 2.
The Marinera restaurant and Artesanías Juavia were also affected by the fire.
Surveillance footage, released by the bar, showed a woman carrying what appeared to be a gasoline can near the establishment before it went up in flames. The woman can be seen walking away after.
Bar Marea said in a Facebook post that Bertothy, who they did not name, came in around closing time and had already been drinking when she sat down and ordered shots.
While there, she allegedly began to insult the other diners and even assault a lady and one of the waitresses, the bar said.
They called police, who took the woman to her nearby Airbnb, but she allegedly returned aggressively and with insults.
The second time I had to call them back to come back, I asked them to please take her out of the area because we were feeling unsafe, the bar said.
Danielle Bertothy, of St. Peters, is accused by Puerto Rican authorities of using gasoline to start a fire that burned down Bar Marea in Cabo Rojo on January 2
Bar Marea said in a Facebook post that Bertothy, who they did not name, came in around closing time and had already been drinking when she sat down and ordered shots. While there, she allegedly began to insult the other diners and even assault a lady and one of the waitresses
They called police, who took the woman to her nearby Airbnb, but she allegedly returned aggressively and with insults. She was escorted away again and the bar closed. She allegedly came back and set the business on fire (pictured)
Bar Marea ordered its employee to clean up as fast as possible and leave before the woman could come back.
Bertothy then allegedly returned to the bar after the employees left and allegedly set fire to the business.
I dont understand why if a person is aggressive, drunk and disrespectful, they werent prosecuted. I dont understand why she came to burn down the businesses, the bar wrote. We lost the material, but the dreams are still alive.
Ángel Luis Marrero, who owns Luichys Seaside Hotel that sustained damage and rents space to the three other businesses involved, estimates the damage is around $500,000, he told a local outlet.
I have to think about mortgaging my house to be able to repair all this. This is very difficult, what we are going through, not to say chaotic, he told El Nuevo Día.
Bertothy, who was supposed to be in the country until January 11, ditched and headed back to the US right after allegedly starting the fire.
She was our first renter, the property manager, who asked not to be named, told The Latino Newsletter. She was supposed to be in the rental from December 30 to January 11.
The Airbnb host was also the one who provided Bertothy with the gasoline as the island was suffering a nationwide blackout on New Years Eve. He provided her with a can of gasoline and a generator at the start of her rental, according to The Newsletter.
Surveillance footage , released by the bar, showed a woman carrying what appeared to be a gasoline can near the establishment before it went up in flames. The woman can be seen walking away after
The bar was burnt and the Marinera restaurant and Artesanías Juavia were also affected by the fire.
Ángel Luis Marrero, who owns Luichys Seaside Hotel that sustained damage and rents space to the three other businesses involved, estimates the damage is around $500,000
On Tuesday, Missouri Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Explosives (ATF) issued a search warrant on her home.
Video shot by her neighbor, Kelley Rufhahr, showed Bertothy being escorted out of her house by authorities.
She was not arrested and no arrest warrant has been issued for her.
St. Peters Police Department said they are aware of the allegations against Bertothy, who they did not name, and have been in contact with Puerto Rican forces.
At this time, we have not been asked for assistance, it said in a statement. Our department will assist Puerto Rican authorities if it is requested.
The local department does not have jurisdiction to investigate as the crime did not take place in their territory.
Sixth Ward Alderman, Daniela Velázquez, reached out to Bertothys reported employer, HLK Agency, an advertisement company, requesting the company to respond to the actions of their employee.
She urged them to assist authorities and encouraged Bertothy to turn herself in. She also encouraged them to reassess her employment status.
The company placed Bertothy on suspension while they investigate the incident.
We are outraged by this senseless act and hope the authorities can address it in a timely fashion, they wrote back to Velázquez.