Friday, May 24, 2013

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Police Make Arrest in Overnight Arsons
18-year-old suspect apprehended shortly after lighting fires
By Brendan Joel Kelley
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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.