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Prosecutors: Missouri Man Flew To California, Started More Than A Dozen Fires In One Day

SAN JOSE (AP) -- Authorities say a Missouri man is suspected of flying to California and lighting multiple fires by throwing flaming pieces paper from his rental car onto grassy foothills in the Bay Area.

The East Bay Times reports Wednesday that Freddie Graham allegedly ignited more than a dozen fires in a 24-hour span last weekend near Milpitas.

Santa Clara County prosecutors say the 68-year-old was arrested while returning the car at San Jose airport thanks to a witness who wrote down the license plate.

It wasn't immediately known if he has an attorney. Graham, of Lone Jack, Missouri, has been arraigned on 15 arson-related charges. He's held on $500,000 bail.

Graham has no connection to California and it's not known why he started the fires or why he targeted the Bay Area.

Copyright 2019 The Associated Press.

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