Miami Landscaper’s Reign of Terror Ends in Arrest
A landscaper’s reign of terror targeting his own neighbors came to a halt with his recent arrest in Miami. Mitchell Igelko, a resident of the city, embarked on a four-year spree of destruction after his neighbors opted not to use his lawn services. His retaliatory acts included poisoning lawns, slashing tires, and even fire-bombing a boat. But in the end, it was Igelko who got burned.
Dr. Bob DerHagopian became aware of the harassment when he hired a competing landscaping service. It was then that he noticed the vandalism inflicted upon him and his neighbors, prompting suspicions of Igelko’s involvement. He tries to intimidate you to either respect him, and if you don’t, he’ll do damage to you, Dr. DerHagopian told the Daily Mail, as frustration mounted among the neighborhood.
To bring an end to the reign of terror, several neighbors banded together and installed CCTV cameras around their homes to catch the culprit in the act. Their efforts paid off when the surveillance footage caught Igelko red-handed, spraying poisonous chemicals on another homeowner’s lawn. Francisco Torres, one of the neighbors, recalled witnessing the shocking incident: I see a red nozzle. I see a lot of jet streams of toxic liquid getting into my grass. I double-checked with my camera, and I got the proof right there.
Igelko’s destructive behavior didn’t stop there. He was also captured on camera tossing bags of nails into people’s lawns and hurling them at trucks and driveways. Residents suspected his involvement in a range of other vandalism incidents in the area, including an incident where cars were drenched in flammable liquid. His house was the only one untouched, noted Kelly DerHagopian, raising suspicions about Igelko’s motives.
Finally, in 2012, Igelko’s reign of terror came to an end with his arrest on criminal mischief charges. Thanks to the overwhelming evidence collected by his vigilant neighbors, justice was served. He threatened to kill me many times, shared Torres, who captured damning video evidence against Igelko. Following his arrest, Igelko was given five years’ probation in 2013 for his actions, and his attorney, Eric Padron, stated that his client suffered from mental illness.
The sentencing brought a sense of relief to the victims. Speaking to CBS News at the time, Igelko expressed his satisfaction that the ordeal was finally over and that he could move on with his life. To ensure a safe environment for the community, Igelko was required to relocate away from the neighborhood and was strictly prohibited from any contact with his former neighbors. This proactive measure aimed to safeguard the victims and prevent further harm or retaliation.
The arrest of Mitchell Igelko serves as a reminder that no one should have to endure fear and anxiety within their own neighborhood. The collective efforts of the affected residents, who installed surveillance systems and collaborated to gather evidence, demonstrate the power of unity and commitment to justice. Their courage and resilience have succeeded in putting an end to a landscaper’s reign of terror, allowing the community to reclaim peace and tranquility in their lives once again.
