Hourly Update

Police arrest East Side arson suspect

Police arrested a man in connection with two of four arson fires that were set at East Side homes during the Thanksgiving weekend. Matthew James Spacone, 33, is charged with two counts of arson. Evidence at one of the four arson crime scenes led detectives to a convenience store where Spacone appeared on a surveillance video, said Sgt. James Driscoll, who leads the Tucson Police Department's arson unit. Police had released the man's picture to local media and then received tips through 88-CRIME, an anonymous tip line, about Spacone's identity and whereabouts. Detectives interviewed him Monday and arrested him Tuesday morning. Police don't know the motive for the fires, Driscoll said. Arson detectives still are investigating all of the fires and have not ruled out the possibility of additional suspects, he said. The fires occurred: - Nov. 24 at the Broadway Gardens Apartments, 8880 E. Broadway, near South Camino Seco. - Nov. 25 at the Sunquest Apartments, 445 N. Pantano Road, near East Broadway. - Nov. 25 at the River Oaks Apartments, 7730 E. Broadway, also near Pantano. - Nov. 28 at a house on East Juarez Street, near 22nd Street and Prudence Road. The fires caused tens of thousands of dollars in damage and put several people in life-threatening situations. Read more in Wednesday's Arizona Daily Star.