Atlanta Man Nabbed After Torching Sanford Temple, Wild Multi-County Chase

SANFORD, Fla. (Day.News) — Singhasouk Danny Phanouvong, 51, of Atlanta, was arrested Sunday after allegedly igniting a fire at Wat Navaram Buddhist Temple around 9:45 p.m. Saturday, Sanford police said. Officers arrived to find flames at the temple on Rinehart Road and spotted a suspect fleeing the scene on foot before he jumped into a vehicle and sped off, according to arrest reports. The pursuit crossed into Volusia County along Interstate 4, with speeds reaching 115 mph.

Florida Highway Patrol troopers and Volusia County sheriff's deputies joined the chase, tracking Phanouvong into Flagler County and eventually St. Johns County. Around 10:30 p.m. near Interstate 95 mile marker 308, troopers executed a precision immobilization technique, or PIT maneuver, to halt the vehicle, authorities said. Phanouvong was taken into custody without further incident and booked into Volusia County Corrections.

Phanouvong faces serious charges including first-degree arson of a dwelling or structure, two counts of burglary of an occupied dwelling, two counts of fleeing or attempting to elude law enforcement, and resisting arrest with violence, per booking records. The fire's cause remains under investigation, but officials confirmed it was intentionally set. Wat Navaram, a longstanding hub for Central Florida's Laotian Buddhist community, sustained unspecified damage, with no injuries reported.

The multi-agency response highlights coordination among Sanford police, FHP, Volusia Sheriff's Office and Flagler deputies in tackling high-risk pursuits on Florida's busy I-4 corridor, a key artery linking Orlando to Daytona Beach. As of Monday, Phanouvong remained in custody awaiting first appearance in Volusia County court.