A 17-year-old suspect has been arrested in connection with a string of vehicle arsons that terrorized South Fort Worth residents during the holiday season, authorities announced Thursday.
Evan Banda was taken into custody just before 6 a.m. Thursday following an investigation into five car fires that occurred between Christmas Eve and New Year’s Day. The arrest comes after weeks of growing anxiety among community members who feared the nighttime arsonist would strike again.
Methodical Pattern Emerges
Investigators say the arsons followed a distinct pattern. All five incidents occurred between 11 p.m. and 2 a.m., with the perpetrator breaking windows to gain entry before using the same type of ignitable liquid to set fires in the vehicles’ interiors. Battalion Chief David Jones, Fort Worth’s chief fire investigator, noted a striking similarity in the targeted vehicles.
“All but one of the fires began at a corner lot. They were all parked on the curb, away from the view of homes,” Jones said.
The arrest didn’t come easily. With no license plate to work with, investigators painstakingly pieced together surveillance footage from multiple neighbors across South Fort Worth, eventually tracking the suspect’s movements through a series of videos that led them to Banda’s residence.
SWAT Team Deployment
How did authorities finally close in on the suspect? After identifying Banda, police began surveillance of his home Wednesday night around 11:40 p.m. Once they confirmed he was inside, they requested SWAT team assistance to safely execute a warrant.
The operation concluded without incident, bringing relief to a neighborhood that had been on edge for nearly two weeks.
Michelle Barrera, whose son’s car became one of the targets, described the terrifying moment when her family discovered the blaze just after midnight on December 28. “My husband and my son-in-law were in the garage, and they saw a fire through the window. And I heard a big bang,” she recalled.
The arson spree was particularly callous. Among the victims was a wheelchair-bound resident whose handicapped vehicle was first vandalized before being set ablaze, according to reports from authorities.
Escalation Concerns
Fort Worth Police Chief Eddie Garcia emphasized that the arrest may have prevented more serious crimes. “When individuals are taking part in these types of crimes, they will escalate to something at some point. It’s imperative to be proactive, be vigilant,” Garcia stated during the announcement.
Despite Banda’s age, authorities expect him to be prosecuted as an adult. The 17-year-old faces multiple felony charges related to the string of arsons that targeted vehicles near Fox Run Park.
For residents who had been keeping vigilant watch over their properties and vehicles, the arrest represents a significant breakthrough. Many had installed additional security cameras or altered their parking habits in response to the attacks.
“We will always work together to ensure that we stop that fear and that we bring suspects to justice,” Chief Garcia assured the community.
As South Fort Worth residents begin to relax their vigilance, investigators continue processing evidence collected from both the crime scenes and the suspect’s residence. The case serves as a sobering reminder of how quickly a community’s sense of security can be shattered — and the methodical police work required to restore it.
