Rochester Police Arrest Man As Suspect In Weekend Dryer Fires
Rochester, MN (KROC AM News) - Rochester police are treating a weekend fire as an arson case and have arrested a suspect.
Police Capt Casey Moilanen says officers found fires burning in two clothes dryers on the 1st and 2nd floors at Edgewood Apartments (897 16th Ave SE - Building A) around 4:30 am Saturday.
It was determined combustible materials were put in the dryers and started on fire. Smoke from the fires filled the hallways and tenants had to be evacuated.
Moilanen says officers were called back to the same complex Saturday afternoon after another fire was started in a dryer.
Officers learned some tenants had earlier confronted a man they suspected of car prowling at the complex. Officers used the description of the man to locate the suspected arsonist.
When interviewed by police, his clothing smelled of smoke and he had 5 lighters in his possession. He denied starting the fire but was arrested.
He has been identified as 18-year-old Lawrence Johnson.
News update: Rochester man arrested in a catalytic converter theft case.
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