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Two charged in death of man found in car

Tampa police say the men killed their victim, then set his vehicle on fire to hide their crime and destroy evidence.

By KEVIN GRAHAM
Published March 13, 2006

TAMPA - Tampa police arrested two men and were looking for a third Sunday in the death of a man found last weekend burned beyond recognition in a car along the Hillsborough River.

Cecilio Olivencia Marrero, 23, of 10610 N 30th St. Apt. 25H, Tampa, and Eddie Ramos Colon, 22, of 4634 Fernway Drive, North Port, are both charged with first-degree murder, robbery with a weapon, first-degree arson and tampering with evidence. Marrero faces an additional charges of driving without a valid license.

Police on Sunday identified the victim found inside the burned car on March 5 as David Jonathan Buggs, 43, of 13142 N 20th St. Apt. 28, Tampa.

The medical examiner had to use dental records to identify Buggs' body, which was found inside a 1999 Chevrolet Malibu across the street from 3308 E Yukon.

Police said he died from an upper body trauma and was set on fire afterward.

Tampa police spokesman Joe Durkin said that Marrero and Buggs worked together at an International House of Pancakes restaurant.

In January, the two men got into an "altercation" that caused Marrero to lose his job, Durkin said.

That's what precipitated the events on the day of Buggs' murder, said Durkin.

Marrero, Colon and a man police have yet to identify forced Buggs into his car.

The men then made Buggs drive to an ATM and take out money.

Police won't say what weapon the men used, but Durkin said they assaulted Buggs "several times in the car, and eventually took his life."

To hide their crime and destroy any evidence, the trio set Buggs' car on fire with his body inside.

Durkin said that police hoped to have the third suspect in custody within 48 hours. He will face the same charges as Marrero and Colon.

[Last modified March 13, 2006, 00:58:12]