An alleged arsonist has set three fires in the nine days within one block in central Phoenix.
Court records show that on June 27 two fires were set near 7th Avenue and Indian School Road. The man responsible was arrested nine days prior for arson a block away.
Police reported that around 3:30 a.m. a palm tree was set on fire next to the Mobile Lube Shop on the northwest corner of 7th Avenue and Indian School Road. Another fire was also set to a dumpster and power pole behind the Goodwill across the street.
Police say an orange spray paint was found on the power pole and the paint can was found near the dumpster.
A witness alerted police to a possible suspect. Police located 36-year-old Tyrone Francisco Junior on a bicycle nearby. He was carrying a lighter in his hands which were orange from the paint.
Francisco was arrested on June 18 for setting a fire to a bus stop near 7th avenue and Camelback. Police say there have been numerous fires in the area recently. The damage estimate due to the fires is about $8,000.
He’s been charged with 2 counts of arson.
