Update: Suspect Named in Fiery Crime Spree

Updated 3:45 p.m.

Claude Leroy Brown, 38, of Marietta is the man arrested in Monday morning's break-ins and fires.

So far, no charges have been added against Brown beyond those previously announced: three counts of first-degree arson; three counts of burglary; and three counts of criminal attempt to commit burglary.

He is being held without bond at the , Marietta police said.

Original Report

A man has been arrested and charged with arson and burglary in the fires that along Powder Springs Street in Marietta early Monday.

The 38-year-old Marietta man also is charged in the attempted break-ins at three other businesses in the area around the same time.

have not released his name yet because they plan to talk to more witnesses and possibly file more charges today.

Officers stopped the man around 3:45 a.m. Monday after spotting him twice near the incidents that kept the police and the busy for hours and shut down Powder Springs Road between Garrison and Sandtown roads.

Those incidents:

• A break-in and fire at pool store , 565 Powder Springs St., about 12:40 a.m.
• A break-in and fire at , 553 Powder Springs St., discovered when firefighters responded to the fire next door at Aquarama.
• A break-in and fire at Drivers Automotive, a car repair shop at 679 Powder Springs St., reported at 3:47 a.m.
• A cement block thrown through a window at the at 600 Powder Springs St. around 3:45 a.m.
• A cement block thrown through a window at , 601 Powder Springs St., sometime before 3:45 a.m.
• A cement block thrown through a window at , 715 Sandtown Rd., sometime before 3:45 a.m.

The worst damage occurred at Drivers Automotive, destroyed by a fire that took hold while firefighters were busy at Aquarama and Pro Elegance.

By contrast, the fire and damage were limited to the front sales area at Aquarama, which remains open, the Marietta Daily Journal reported.

The man is charged with three counts of first-degree arson and three counts of burglary for the break-ins and fires at Aquarama, Pro Elegance and Drivers Automotive and three counts of criminal attempt to commit burglary for the blocks thrown through the windows at the other three businesses.

Police said they arrested the suspect based on witness statements, his own statements, and video and forensic evidence.

The Police Department asks anyone with information about what happened along Powder Springs Street early Monday to call Detective S. Merritt at 770-794-5324 or the tip line at 770-794-6990.