SPOKANE, Wash. — Spokane Police Department (SPD) arrested a juvenile connected to a string of arsons that happened on the South Hill this July.
Just after midnight Friday, Spokane police said that a detective was assigned to the case along with a patrol officer familiar with the area. The pair worked to identify a teenager who matched the description of the suspect in a fire at a business in the 4500 block of S. Regal St. on July 19.
Friday morning, the detective and SPD officer did surveillance in the area and saw a teen hanging around a business in the area while holding a flashlight. The teen eventually left and went into a nearby home.
Officers said that they made contact with the teen, and later on, detained him and transported him to his home where they spoke to the teen's father.
SPD said probable cause was established to arrest the 13-year-old for 2nd Degree Arson and 1st Degree Malicious Mischief. Additional charges may be added on, but the teenager has been booked into the Spokane County Juvenile Detention Center.
The investigation into the fires on the South Hill still continues. Police said that they also identified an 11-year-old connected to some fires and had probable cause to arrest him.
All of the arson fires on the South Hill had the potential to do major damage due to the dry and hot weather conditions, police said. The fire that happened at the business that led to the arrest of the 13-year-old -- a car wash -- resulted in $160,000 of damages.
