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Homeless Man Arrested On Suspicion Of Setting 10 Fires In Santa Monica

SANTA MONICA (AP) — Santa Monica police have arrested a homeless man on suspicion of setting at least 10 fires that damaged three apartment buildings.

Police on Monday announced the Dec. 9 arrest of 54-year-old Balbinder Sihota. He remains jailed.

Authorities say undercover officers spotted him flicking a lighter for no apparent reason in an area where arson fires had occurred. Police say witnesses also implicated him.

Authorities believe that Singh set fires in trash bins and lit discarded Christmas trees during a 10-day period that began on Dec. 30. The fires burned into a garage at one apartment complex and also caused major damage to a car at a dealership.

(© Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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