A serial Florida arsonist has been arrested and charged with 10 counts of 2nd degree arson in Palm Beach County for setting fires to $300,000 worth of RVs, according to a statement from Florida CFO and State Fire Marshal Jimmy Patronis.
Benjamin Harris of Lake Worth was apprehended in South Carolina Aug. 21 by U.S. Marshals. Harris had previously served eight years in prison for arson.
An investigation by the State Fire Marshal’s Division of Investigative and Forensic revealed security camera footage of Harris approaching a group of RVs at Waits RV Center in Riviera Beach that were set on fire, causing more than $300,000 in damage. Harris was convicted in 2005 for a chain of arson-related fires in St. Lucie and Palm Beach Counties.
Harris was booked into the Colleton County jail in South Carolina pending extradition to Florida. DFS expressed gratitude to the U.S. Marshals Service and the Walterboro Police Department for their assistance in the arrest. Harris was wanted by U.S. Marshals for federal warrants out of the Fort Pierce, Fla., for violation of probation with an original charge of use of explosives during a felony.
“Destruction of personal property by arson is a very serious and dangerous crime. It not only destroys property, but can destroy lives. I’m proud of our arson investigation team and their collaboration with the U.S. Marshals to bring this fugitive to justice,” said Patronis.
If convicted on all charges, Harris faces up to 150 years in prison.
Source: Florida Department of Financial Services
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