Homeless man arrested in Seattle arsons
Suspect, 46, has two previous convictions
SEATTLE – A 46-year-old homeless man has been arrested for investigation of a string of arsons in north Seattle, police said.
Assistant police Chief Paul McDonagh told a news conference that Kevin Todd Swalwell was arrested early Friday by members of an arson task force responding to a three-alarm fire at a vacant furniture store in Shoreline, just north of Seattle. The Shoreline fire marshal says that blaze was arson.
McDonagh said Swalwell had been seen near three other set fires, and that under questioning he gave information that led detectives to believe he was involved in a string of arsons that have beset north Seattle’s Greenwood neighborhood.
Authorities say there have been 17 arsons in that neighborhood in the past two months, including an Oct. 23 blaze that burned four restaurants and caused $2 million damage.
“The detectives believe Swalwell is responsible for some if not all of the Greenwood arsons,” McDonagh said. “These conclusions are based on eyewitness testimony, forensic evidence and information from the subject.”
McDonagh gave few details at the news conference, saying the case was still under investigation.
The state Department of Corrections said Swalwell has two previous convictions for arson and was released from prison in November 2008 after serving time for drug possession.
Department spokesman Chad Lewis said a Corrections officer, at the suggestion of a supervisor, tipped Seattle police that Swalwell could be connected to the Greenwood fires.
Lewis said Swalwell is homeless and last checked in with the department on Thursday, as required. Lewis said police told the department to continue normal monitoring and not tip him off that he was under investigation.
The Shoreline fire was reported shortly after midnight and burned for more than three hours. It was about five miles north of Greenwood, a largely residential neighborhood with several small shopping areas.