SPOKANE, Wash. — In a jailhouse interview with KREM 2 on Wednesday, the female suspect arrested in connection to a string of car fires in North Spokane admitted to the crimes.
Stephanie Register, 36, was arrested on Tuesday and booked into the Spokane County Jail on a count of second-degree arson with more charges pending. The jail roster also shows a charge of second-degree vehicle prowling.
Register was picked up by police at the Spokane Transit Authority Plaza, according to Julie Humphreys with the Spokane Police Department.
In the interview with KREM's Amanda Roley, Register said she set the fires in North Spokane by using a BIC lighter. When asked why she did this, Register said she was intoxicated.
“They were unlocked. I wasn’t thinking clearly. I had alcohol in my system," she said.
Police have not said that Register admitted to the crimes.
Register said on Wednesday that she used to get drunk at her mother's house when she was 13 years old and set fires.
"And I remember everything, but I don’t remember why, why I was doing it," she said.
Register said she didn't know any of the people whose cars she set on fire, adding that she wouldn't have done it if she wasn't drunk.
“There’s no good enough excuse. I am sorry," she added.
In total, 10 U-Haul trucks were destroyed or damaged, at least five private vehicles were damaged and five garages were damaged, according to Humphreys. A fence was also damaged at the Northtown Mall. Twenty total properties were damaged.
According to Humphreys, a rock was also thrown at the business Body by Biju. She added that reckless burning, malicious mischief and second-degree arson charges could be brought against the person responsible.
Police, fire department respond to vehicle fires
Authorities received a call about two vehicle fires at 23 E. Crown Ave. at about 2:30 a.m., according to a spokesperson for the Spokane Fire Department. Two vehicles and a shed caught on fire at 216 E. Crown Ave about one hour later.
Security officers extinguished another vehicle fire at the Northtown Mall just minutes later.
Two small fires at the Bank of America at Division Street and Wellesley Avenue and Body by Biju on Division were quickly extinguished around the same time, according to SFD.
The fire department also received a call about one vehicle that was found burned at 19 E. Longfellow Ave. at about 7 a.m. It appears to be a total loss.
Fires were also set at a U-Haul location along the North Division corridor, damaging multiple vehicles, according to Spokane Police Sgt. Terry Preuninger. According Humphreys, five U-Haul trucks were destroyed and five more are undriveable.
Security video appears to show woman lighting fire in car
Security video from a homeowner who lives in the area of Queen Avenue and Lidgerwood Street appears to show a woman lighting a fire in a car and watching it burn.
Early video evidence collected by Spokane police shows a female person of interest removing an article of clothing as she moved through the Northtown Mall parking lot.
Resident shares photos, videos of truck engulfed in flames
One resident who lives on Crown Avenue told KREM's Al Lozano that his truck caught fire at about 3 a.m. on Monday. He shared videos that show his truck and a neighbor's vehicle engulfed in flames.
An apparent explosion is heard at the beginning of one clip.
