Tacoma Police ask public for help in identifying arson suspect

TACOMA, Wash. – Tacoma Police are asking the public for help in identifying a suspect who allegedly intentionally set several fires in the Tacoma and Fife areas this week.

On Saturday morning around 6:45 a.m., police and firefighters responded to a fire in the 600 block of East 26th Street. Initial investigations indicate that the fire was deliberately set, police said.

Surveillance footage showed a suspect behind the stores immediately before the fire broke out.

On Sunday, July 14, Tacoma Police and Fire Departments responded to a structure fire in the 1100 block of Dock Street that resulted in total loss of the building.

Hours later, there were several more fires, all on Puyallup Avenue, followed by two more fires Sunday night and early Monday morning in Fife. Tacoma police reported three fires on Puyallup Avenue and the Tacoma Fire Department reported two fires.

Tacoma Police gave the following times and locations for the fires:

• July 14, 1:27 a.m. – 1100 block of Dock Street, Tacoma
• 7:55 a.m. – 1200 block of Puyallup Avenue, Tacoma
• 7:45 p.m. – 5100 block of Pacific Highway East, Fife
• July 15, 2:34 a.m. – 5300 block of 12th Street East, Fife

No injuries were reported in any of the fires.

Due to the arson, Tacoma Police are increasing patrols throughout the city.

“The focus of the patrols is to target those involved in the recent series of arsons that damaged property and potentially endangered lives, and to prevent further incidents,” the police department said in a statement.

Anyone with information regarding the identity of the person(s) responsible for the fires is asked to contact Tacoma Police or leave a tip with Crime Stoppers through the P3tips app or by calling 1-800-222-TIPS.

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