Police Arrest Man, Seize Gun After SODO RV Fire

Detectives are investigating after a RV in SODO was set on fire on Friday afternoon, and a man was arrested nearby for illegal possession of a firearm.

Just before 2:30 p.m., a caller reported three men were slashing the tires of an RV in the 200 block of South Hinds Street. The caller said they also appeared to be trying to force their way into the RV.

As the first two officers arrived, the three men were walking toward a pickup truck as if to get in and leave. Upon seeing police, one of the men fled on foot. Officers detained the remaining two suspects, one of whom immediately tossed something under the truck. After a quick look under the truck, officers could see the object was a gun, and the man who threw it was taken into custody.

As officers spoke with the two suspects, smoke and flames started to come from the RV. Thankfully the RV was unoccupied, and police used fire extinguishers until firefighters arrived and fully put out the fire. SFD's Fire Marshal and SPD's Arson Bomb Squad responded to the scene to investigate the fire.

After identifying the man who had tossed the gun, officers learned he was a convicted felon, making it illegal for him to possess a firearm. He also had two felony warrants - for DV harassment/assault and escape in the second degree - and a misdemeanor warrant for theft. Police took the 34-year-old man to Harborview Medical Center for an evaluation before he was booked into King County Jail for unlawful possession of a firearm and his three warrants. The second suspect was identified and released.

ABS Detectives will continue to investigate this incident.