Suspected Nashville-Area Serial Burglar Sets Self On Fire, Arrested

NASHVILLE, TN — Talk about being caught in flagrante. A man suspected in at least eight Midstate robberies in the last month was arrested Thursday after he accidentally set himself on fire trying to destroy a van he'd stolen, according to police.

Investigators say surveillance footage showed Robert Dowell breaking into BBB Auto Sales on Nolensville Pike, rifling through paperwork and stealing keys. He then went back outside and set fire to the van he was travelling in — it had been reported stolen in Maury County — but caught himself on fire, as well.

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Dowell then stole another car, police say, but they caught up to him a short time later where, according to detectives, he admitted to the robbery at BBB and seven other robberies in the last month. In all of those cases, police say surveillance footage showed a man with a "615" tattoo on his forearm. Dowell has the same tattoo.

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