Alleged Florida wildfire arsonist caught

PALM BAY , Fla., May 15 (UPI) -- Florida law officers tightened security against potentially angry residents as they questioned an alleged arsonist who may have burned 22 homes.

Brian Crowder, 31, faced at least one count of unlawful burning of land for a brush fire started Wednesday in Brevard County, Fla., but officers say he is sure to be charged with other fires, including those he allegedly tried to start while being chased by police, WKMG-TV in Orlando, Fla., reported .

Deputies at the Brevard County Jail beefed up security after fearing mob conditions would grow from angry residents who showed up Wednesday night, WKMG said.

The word got around that one person may be responsible for a majority of 12 Palm Bay fires and perhaps for all 22 in the county, mostly in the Palm Bay and Malabar areas.