Arrest made in suspicious Palm Bay fires

PALM BAY, Fla. (WOFL FOX 35) - Palm Bay police officers on Thursday announced an arrest in a string of suspicious fires around the city.   

On Wednesday, officers arrested Stephen Paul Tatro, 47, after they said he was observed fleeing the area where two fires had just been set.   It is believed that Tatro is linked to at least five brush fires that have occurred over the last two months. 

In response to the recent increase in brush fires throughout the city, Palm Bay Police and Fire have increased patrol surveillance in the area as well as video surveillance.    The departments will continue working with area agencies, including the Palm Bay Police Department and the Forestry Service.  At this time the investigation is still ongoing