Vigilance urged in Painesville Township after 3 cars set on fire in apartment complexes

PAINESVILLE TOWNSHIP, Ohio - Deputies in Lake County are urging residents to be extra vigilant after three cars were set on fire in a week’s time in the same area.

The Lake County Sheriff’s Office said all incidents happened between Nov. 24 and Nov. 30 in Painesville Township.

The first incident happened Nov. 24 at 2:44 a.m. at an apartment complex on Spring Lake. Investigators said a gold 2001 Pontiac Grand Am was lit on fire from inside the vehicle.

The next fire happened two days later at 12:30 a.m. at the same apartment complex. In that case, a blue 1985 Cadillac was lit on fire from inside the car, deputies said.

And the latest fire happened Nov. 30 at 1:35 a.m. at an apartment complex on North Ridge Road – just west of the other apartment complex. Investigators said a white 2005 Ford was set on fire, and it caused an apartment building to be evacuated. The building also suffered damage as a result of the fire.

The sheriff’s office said no one reported seeing any suspicious activity in the area during these fires.

Deputies are urging residents in this area who sees anything suspicious, or anyone who might have information about the fires, to contact detectives at 440-350-5521.