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Published: 07.30.2005

Mexican man jailed in 9 Cochise arsons
ARIZONA DAILY STAR

Authorities arrested a 44-year-old man Friday who they suspect set nine fires in two days south of Sierra Vista.

Mario Martinez Gurrola of Mexicali, Mexico, was arrested early Friday after four vehicles - including a tractor-trailer rig - and a mobile home were torched Wednesday, according to a news release from the Cochise County Sheriff's Department.

Evidence from the scenes in the communities of Hereford and Palominas, as well as similarities the fires shared, led the Sheriff's Department, Bisbee police and the fire officials to conduct an undercover operation Thursday night, the release said.

That night, four more vehicles in Hereford were set on fire between about 10:50 p.m. and 2:30 a.m., the release stated.

Gurrola was taken into custody and is charged with seven counts of arson, three counts of defacing or damaging property and one count of criminal damage, the release said.

Gurrola is believed to be an illegal entrant, the release stated. Authorities notified the Mexican Consulate.