Overview
- Eric Dwayne Anderson, 52, was arrested in early August and faces charges including arson, home invasion and larceny; a probable-cause hearing is scheduled for Aug. 18 and his bond was set at $1 million.
- Prosecutors say the alleged crimes occurred in a series on Detroit’s west side between mid-July and Aug. 4 and include fires at homes, a garage and a commercial dumpster.
- In one case, authorities allege Anderson forced entry on Bryden Street, stole a refrigerator, stove and two pit bull puppies, then set the house on fire; no one was reported injured in any incident.
- Officials say he set a house fire on July 29 and then entered a nearby firehouse while crews were responding to steal personal items from firefighters, a detail that has drawn sharp condemnation from city leaders.
- Investigators are still probing possible additional incidents, including a fire on Aug. 7, and the case has raised calls for accountability and review of how former department members are tracked after leaving service.