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Police arrest man accused of setting fire to tires at Renton Les Schwab

RENTON, Wash. — Officers with the Renton Police Department arrested a man accused of setting fire to tires at the downtown Renton Les Schwab Tire store.

Police officers noticed black smoke coming from the store, located at 710 Rainier Ave South, at 10:00 p.m. on August 5. Responding officers attempted to extinguish the fire with portable fire extinguishers but were unsuccessful. Renton Fire Authority, Fire District 20 and Tukwila Fire units were called and were later able to extinguish the fire.

Authorities called the store manager and assistant manager to the scene to check security camera footage for information on a potential suspect.

Surveillance video showed “a white male wearing a black tank top and camouflage pants walking in front of the store then going to the side of the building where the fire originated,” Renton police said in a news release.

After viewing the video, the assistant manager noticed a person matching the description nearby. Police arrested the man and he was booked in the King County Jail for Investigation of Arson.

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“The suspect is a person of interest in five other trash can and/or dumpster fires in the same area of Rainier Ave S over the past week. Most of the fires have been set during the early morning hours and all have been associated with commercial businesses. To date, the dollar loss is approximated at just over $3,000 and there have been no injuries in any of the fires,” Renton police said.

Police said the five other trash can and/or dumpster fires were set early in the morning and all were associated with commercial businesses. Police say no injuries have occurred in any of the fires, but the dollar loss is just over $3,000.

“The arrest of this individual further demonstrates the strong partnership between Renton Police and the Renton Regional Fire Authority and is but one example of both Departments working together to provide a safer community”, Fire Chief Rick Marshall stated.