Police Make Arrest in Overnight Arsons

18-year-old suspect apprehended shortly after lighting fires

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By Brendan Joel Kelley
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Story Created: Apr 16, 2012 at 10:51 AM AKDT

Story Updated: Apr 17, 2012 at 11:52 AM AKDT

ANCHORAGE - The Anchorage Police Department has arrested 18-year-old Sosiua Vahaakolo of Anchorage for a series of fires early Saturday morning.

An officer responded to a dumpster fire at 24th and Barrow at 1:15 a.m. Saturday and saw someone running from the area. About 20 minutes later, the officer encountered a car fire at 24th and Barrow, apparently started by someone who got inside the car through an unlocked door and ignited the rear seat.

Another APD officer, a former firefighter and paramedic with the Anchorage Fire Department, directed a search of the area for other fires, and he located on in a dumpster at Barnes and Noble at 2:34 a.m.

At 2:44 a.m., another officer noticed someone hiding at the Cash America on Fireweed. The suspect, Vahaakolo, fit the description, smelled like smoke, had two lighters and a fresh burn on his right hand, according to APD.

Vahaakolo was arrested for two counts of negligent burning and one count of first-degree arson. His bail was set at $7,500 cash plus a court-approved third-party custodian. He's scheduled to be arraigned Monday after 2:30 p.m.

The Anchorage Fire Department extinguished all the fires.

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FOBFREE said on Wednesday, Apr 18 at 8:19 PM

Okay Fobs don't act like you guys are perfect

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TYB. said on Wednesday, Apr 18 at 12:10 PM

Dang Siua foreals that was hella dumb thoe' you lightweight put shame to us TONGANS ,Other than that shame to yo' FAMILY ! But shoot just keep yo' head up in there, hopefully you learned yo' lesson. #FreeTha'BruhC2*

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tahine said on Tuesday, Apr 17 at 8:39 AM

wtf...dont yu have something better in your life to do at the moment...how does it feel if someone blew up your family car and that was the only car that yall can afford or have whut would you do? whut about you blew up that vehicle and you didnt know that people were sleeping in it? i never thought you would do something like this til now... are you having problems or are you just trying to make your name popular in ak? well, you hella made us TONGANS looks bad but anyways, no matter whut happens your still my tama sii....love you siua and hang in their maby you would learn your lesson in their...but much love tama sii..

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Anonymous said on Monday, Apr 16 at 3:27 PM

the judge should sentence him to working for the forestry dept this summer - fight fires on the front lines...upon release he won't want to see a match...

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