Officials Investigate Sign, Car Arson Incidents

The San Angelo Fire Marshal is investigating two arson incidents that occurred within a short period of time near each other early Friday morning.

According to Fire Marshal Ross Coleman, the first incident was originally called in as a grass fire. When firefighters arrived at 2:40 a.m. on Rio Grande St., they found a variety of temporary signs—as in political signs and a sign for a roofer (see picture) were set on fire.

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Above: A sign that was intentionally burned in the early morning hours of Mar. 18, 2016. (LIVE! Photo/Stephanie Lindgren)

As the fire department tended to that situation, a second alarm was sounded for a vehicle fire in the 2000 block of Woodlawn 15 minutes later, at 2:55 a.m.

On Woodlawn, SAFD found a mid-2000s model white Chevrolet Tahoe engulfed in flames.

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“At 2:30 a.m. my fiancé woke me up and told me the car was on fire. I started spraying it down with a hose and when I opened it up (a door) in just…” said the boyfriend of the Tahoe owner.

The boyfriend said that an officer to whom he was giving a statement saw some kids run, and gave a foot pursuit.

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San Angelo Police Department spokesman Sgt. Cade Solsberry said there was a foot pursuit near the Woodlawn area early this morning. A 17-year-old male was caught. “We arrested him for evading detention on foot and possession of marijuana.” Police acknowledge that the suspect was caught in the area and shortly after the vehicle fire, but so far have not accused him of arson.

Solsberry said that the investigation is ongoing, with the fire marshal leading it.