AURORA | Police arrested a 30-year-old Aurora man early Tuesday in connection to a series of fires over the past week damaging landscaping, portable toilets, vehicles and apartment buildings, officials said.
Michael Anthony Lopez was taken into custody in connection with fires in the area of East 16th Avenue and Norfolk Street in north Aurora, according to a joint statement from Aurora Fire Rescue and the Aurora Police Department. He faces multiple felony counts, including second- and fourth-degree arson.
Lopez is being held at the Aurora Municipal Detention Center in lieu of $50,000 bond and is awaiting his first appearance in Adams District Court.
Charges are expected to be filed by the Adams County District Attorney’s Office, officials said.
Fire crews responded to several fires in the area over the last week, working to extinguish the blazes and limit damage. Police officers and fire investigators coordinated during the responses, assessing scenes, gathering information and identifying a suspect.
Damage caused by the fires was estimated to cost about $20,000, according to fire department officials.
Authorities credited close collaboration between the fire and police departments with leading to the arrest.
“This case highlights how critical teamwork is when protecting our community,” Allen Robnett, deputy fire chief for Aurora Fire Rescue, said in a statement.
Aurora police District 2 Cmdr. Colleen Delena said firefighters’ scene management and officers’ canvassing and community engagement were key to capturing what she described as a dangerous suspect during the holiday season.
No injuries were reported as a result of the fires, officials said.
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