Police Arrest Arson Suspect In Florida Wildfires

Wed, 14 May 2008 21:08:29 +0000
Windsor Genova - AHN News Writer

Palm Bay, FL (AHN) - Palm Bay police on Wednesday arrested a man suspected of being one of the arsonists responsible for the ongoing wildfire in Brevard County that has destroyed 20 homes and damaged 120 more.

Convicted burglar and thief Brian Crowder, 31, was caught by police using helicopters and K-9 units one hour after he fled his home on foot.

According to ABC News, Palm Bay police chief Bill Berger said a witness reported that a man fitting Crowder's description threw a bottle containing an accelerant from a car window into the woods in Palm Bay early Wednesday morning and started a small fire.

Police spotted Crowder inside his car around 7:30 a.m. but the suspect escaped. The car was traced to his home, which police raided.

Crowder was taken to a hospital for treatment of bites from a police dog which he received during his attempted escape.

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