TACOMA, Wash. — Tacoma police arrested a woman Sunday who is believed to be involved in an arson over the weekend.
Authorities arrested the 34-year-old woman when she was seen accessing a restricted area where a fire had been set the day before. The Tacoma Police Department and Pierce County Sheriff’s Department responded to take her into custody.
The woman told police she went into the building to get wood that wasn't fire damaged, according to probable cause documents.
Tacoma police and the Tacoma Fire Department responded to a fire in the 300 block of East 26th Street on Saturday at about 6:45 a.m. Investigators believe the fire was intentionally set.
Surveillance footage captured images of the suspect who police believe was connected to the fire. The woman who was arrested was wearing the same hat as the suspect in the surveillance footage, according to probable cause documents.
The woman was booked in Pierce County Jail on unrelated charges of burglary and possession of stolen property.
Police do not have enough information to connect the suspect in the July 20 fire to a string of arsons from last week. However, they hope information from the public will determine if the fires are related.
Tacoma police and fire responded to at least five arsons between July 14 and July 15 in Tacoma and Fife.
Tacoma police provided the following times and locations for the fires:
- July 14, 1:27 a.m. - 1100 block of Dock Street, Tacoma
- 7:55 a.m. - 1200 block of Puyallup Avenue, Tacoma (several fires set)
- 7:45 p.m. - 5100 block of Pacific Highway East, Fife
- July 15, 2:34 a.m. - 5300 block of 12th Street East, Fife
No injuries were reported in any of the fires.
Anyone with information about the identity of the person or persons responsible for the fires is asked to contact Tacoma police, or leave a tip with Crime Stoppers using the P3tips app or by calling 1-800-222-TIPS.
