SUFFOLK, Va. (WAVY) — Suffolk Police arrested a suspected arsonist on March 1 that they’ve been searching for in connection to a February incident, police said.
According to the Fire Marshal’s Office, Alfred Dennis Russell, 69, of Suffolk, allegedly set fire to a home located on the 6200 block of Leafwood Road in Suffolk on Feb. 26. No one was hurt in the incident.
Russell was arrested in Portsmouth shortly after 10 a.m. on March 1.
WAVY confirmed with police that there was one person inside the home at the time of the fire and that the damage was considered minor.
Neighbors told 10 On Your Side that Russell lived in the same neighborhood and that the house he targeted was his sister’s.
10 On Your Side reached out to Russell’s sister, who told us she and her family are all doing alright. She declined an interview.
Russell faces charges including arson of an occupied dwelling, attempted murder, second degree and destruction of property.
If you have any information about this case, you can submit an anonymous tip by calling 1-888-LOCK-U-UP, downloading the P3 tips app to a mobile device, or visiting www.P3tips.com and submitting a tip.