Three suspicious garbage can fires in the Saunderson Heights area of Burlington have been attributed to a Burlington man who has been arrested for lighting them.
The first incident was reported at approximately 3:18pm on September 27, 2023 in the alley between the 100 block of South Gunnison and the 100 block of South Marshall. A garbage can had been damaged by a fire within it.
The second incident occurred at approximately 11:45am on October 8, 2023. A garbage can belonging at 127 S. Woodlawn had been damaged by a fire within it.
The third incident occurred at approximately 7:26am on October 9, 2023. A garbage can at 1406 Market had been damaged by a fire that occurred with it.
During the investigation into all three fires, surveillance video was obtained which recorded video of the individual setting the fires. The suspect was the same man in all 3 videos and he was identified as Larry Gilbert Sr.
Gilbert Sr. was located and interviewed regarding the fires. After the interview, detectives applied for arrest warrants charging Gilbert Sr. for setting the fires.
On October 17, 2023 detectives arrested Gilbert Sr. on the warrants.
Larry Joe Gilbert Sr., 73, of Burlington was charged with three counts of Reckless Use of Fire, an aggravated misdemeanor, and three counts of Criminal Mischief – 5th degree, a simple misdemeanor.
The Burlington Police Department was assisted in this investigation by the Burlington Fire Department.
