How Seattle cops tracked down a suspect in The Jungle fires

Seattle police were able to locate a suspect after a series of fires were set around The Jungle on Monday thanks to the help of an attentive citizen.

A Seattle man was riding to work on a motorcycle Monday afternoon when he noticed a couch on fire in an alley off of South Dean Street. He saw a man next to the couch with a purple BBQ lighter in his hand, according to a police report. The motorcycle rider kept watch and noticed the man walked toward Dearborn Street where other plumes of smoke emerged.

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During this time, the motorcyclist was taking photos with his cell phone. Police were notified and the Seattle Fire Department responded to put out the fires. It was then discovered that a building next to the burning couch was broken into where another fire was set.

Police distributed the witness’ photos to other officers in the area. The suspect, a 50-year-old man, was found that evening near Dearborn Street with a purple lighter in his possession.

The suspect “mumbled” to police, according to the police report, that he didn’t set the fires. Instead, he alleged someone named “Terry” lit the fires. Despite photos showing otherwise, the suspect told police that the witness — the man on the motorcycle — was lying and that he never had his lighter out near the burning couch. The suspect argued that he was trying to put the fire out at the burning couch while moving it away from dry grass.

Up to 12 fires were set in the area around The Jungle. The suspect has been booked and awaits charges.

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