Help Catch A Serial Arsonist

ST. PETERSBURG, FL — The St. Petersburg Police Department is trying to unravel the mystery of just who has been setting fires in the Crescent Lake neighborhood and it’s turning to residents for help.

The lengthy spree of fires began on Jan. 17 when a vehicle was intentionally set ablaze on 15th Avenue North. Police say someone put an accelerated in the fuel compartment of the vehicle before starting the fire. A suspect was described in that case, but never caught. The white male is believed to be between 19 and 26. He rode a skateboard and had a goatee.

While one fire was cause for concern, police say several more have been deliberately set, all within the same six-block neighborhood.

“Most of those cases have been dumpster fires that spread and damaged nearby vehicles or structures,” the department wrote in an email to media. “Investigators say it's likely the same arsonist set all, or most of them,
because of the similarity and proximity of the fires.”

All of the fires occurred between 8th Street and Martin Luther King Jr. Street and 15th Avenue North and 21st Avenue North. The other incidents have included:

• Jan 18 – 1600 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. St. N. In that case, a building’s sun shade canvas over the door was set on fire. No suspect was sighted.
• Jan. 30 – 1921 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. St. N. Four dumpsters at this address were set on fire, resulting in damage to several vehicles and a scooter. No suspect was sighted.
• Jan. 30 – 870 20th Ave. N. In this case, a dumpster fire caused a fence to burn.
• Feb. 16 – 821 21st Ave. N. A dumpster was set on fire. No suspect was sighted.
• March 11 – On this date dumpsters at 860 20th Ave. N. and 808 16th Ave. N. were set on fire. Again, no suspect was seen.

Police did release a video of the possible suspect after one of the first fires. Anyone with information about the person or people who might be setting these fires is asked to call the St. Petersburg Police Department at 727-893-7780.

Image via Shutterstock

Sign up for the St. Pete Patch newsletter and alerts!

Be sure to follow us on Facebook, too!