Suspected Serial Arsonist Arrested in Florida
Source Sun Sentinel, Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
A 52-year-old Sunrise man is accused of setting more than 20 fires in and around the apartment complex where he lives, according to Sunrise Police.
David Wayne Carroll was arrested on Wednesday and charged with burglary and arson after he broke into a neighbor's apartment and set his mattress on fire, police said.
He climbed through the kitchen window of a ground floor apartment claiming he saw flames, then set fire to the bed in the master bedroom before climbing out through the same window. The apartment building had to be evacuated while firefighters battled the blaze, according to the arrest report.
When the first police officer arrived at the scene, Carroll approached and asked if he was going to be arrested. When the officer asked why, Carroll responded, "You guys always suspect me at fires," the report stated.
During questioning, Carroll admitted to calling 911 while sitting on his terrace drinking a beer and watching the Fire Rescue response, police said.
He is also suspected of setting 21 other fires in several neighboring apartment buildings and in dumpsters near several area businesses, police said.
Copyright 2012 - Sun Sentinel, Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
McClatchy-Tribune News Service
