Police arrested a 17-year-old in connection to an arson that destroyed a patrol car, a boat and damaged an officer’s home.
Investigators said the officer discovered the damage at about 3 a.m. Saturday at his home on Barton Boulevard.
Charles Hughes, 17, was arrested and charged with attempted felony murder, arson to an occupied dwelling and arson to a vehicle.
Hughes was taken to a juvenile detention center.
Police said the officer was home when the fire broke out.
Investigators believe Hughes broke the window to the patrol car, opened the door and set the patrol car on fire.
Bloodhounds were able to track the suspect's scent to his home, where he was arrested and where police are now searching for more evidence.
Neighbors said they couldn’t believe someone would do that to an officer’s property.
“If he’s a juvenile setting fires, and has a fascination with fires, I hope he gets the help that he needs,” said resident Laronda Johnson.
Investigators are working to find out if the incident is related to four other fires in the same area in February.
The previous fires happened in early February in the McClarty Park area, including one where a Cadillac at an auto repair shop was set on fire.
