Police search for suspects in several fires set Sunday morning

Police are looking for suspects after a slew of fires early Sunday morning, including multiple dumpster and vehicles, and a building fire along the 500 block of Clarkston Road.

A deputy on patrol saw a dumpster fire at Orion Market around 3:20 a.m., and a passerby told the deputy they had just called the fire department, according the Oakland County Sheriff’s Dept.

The deputy then noticed another dumpster fire a short distance away, as well as two vehicles set on fire. Another nearby vehicle and a garage also had fire damage.

All fires were extinguished by the fire department, according to police reports.

The damage and fires were all located along Clarkston Road between Allen Street and Hemmingway Road.

The second dumpster fire was reported in the 1000 block of Hemingway Road near the Lake Orion Church of Christ. In addition to the church, two vehicles located within 100 yards were also set on fire. All fires were extinguished and there were no injuries, according to the sheriff’s department.

“We don’t believe the targets were the churches. We do believe the people responsible live locally,” said Lt. Dan Toth, substation commander of the Oakland County Sheriff’s Dept. in Orion Twp.

There was other property damage along the way, Toth said, adding that the suspects appeared to be traveling westbound down Clarkston Road from Allen Street.

“We believe that someone out there may have seen something and we are looking for any information to find those who were responsible,” Toth said, adding people may have seen some comments on social media or saw something that could provide information.

An Oakland County Sheriff’s Office Fire Investigator responded and determined the cause of all the fires to be arson in nature.

The OCSO Crime Lab pulled fingerprints from the multiple crime scenes. An OSCO K-9 Unit responded to attempt a track, but did not turn up any results.

This incident is under investigation.

Anyone with information or crime tips regarding these incidents is encouraged to contact the Orion Township Sheriff’s Office Substation at 248 393-0090, or Arson Control at 1-800-44-ARSON.

Tipsters can remain anonymous and can collect up to a $5,000 reward for information.

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