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HAINES CITY - Fire investigators think an arsonist set 10 fires, all in the same neighborhood, during a five-hour span Saturday.
Nine homes and one vehicle were set on fire, and investigators think it's all the work of the same person.
"Most of the homes that were set on fire were vacant and they were all close to each other," said Detective Mike Douglas of the state fire marshal's office. "This is definitely a serial arsonist and this guy knew what he was doing. "Chances are this guy will try this again. Serial arsonists rarely stop on their own."
No one was injured in the fires, which caused an estimated $50,000 in damage, Douglas said. Most of the homes are small, wood-frame houses that were in poor condition before the blazes were set, he said.
Annie Manuel said the home next to hers was ravaged by one of the fires. Her home, though, was not damaged.
"It's very scary to think that this person is out here trying to burn people's homes down while they sleep," she said.
Suspect arrested in parking lot shootoutBRADENTON - Police have arrested a Bradenton man in connection with a shootout in a busy grocery store parking lot that killed one man and wounded two others.
Carlos Alonso, 20, was arrested Saturday night and charged with murder in connection with the shooting death of Kerry Ducre, 25, Manatee County sheriff's officials said.
Alonso's role in the slaying was unclear. Sheriff's officials did not return telephone messages Sunday.
A second suspect, Raymond "Ray" Malara III, 20, remained at large, officials said. Bullets flew between two cars Friday in the Albertson's parking lot in Bradenton. A man with Ducre returned fire in the parking lot before both cars fled.
Ducre died at the scene. Jabbarey Bryant, 20, was seriously injured by two shots to the back, and Clayton Dowling, 20, suffered a minor wound to the hip.
The getaway car was later seized about 14 miles away.