Investigators say the case, which involves members of the "Mayday-Mob," covers six separate arsons, including the burning of 1,800 apple bins and a firebombing of a truck. So far, police have arrested two men, ages 19 and 18, for investigation of arson.The younger suspect made an initial court appearance Wednesday. The older suspect appeared in court Tuesday and is expected to be formally charged today. He remains jailed in lieu of $100,000 bail.
According to a police affidavit, the younger suspect has been linked to six arsons:
* An April 22, 2006, fire that burned 50 feet of shrubbery and fence, causing an estimated $2,000 damage at 1624 S. 10th Ave.
* An Aug. 26, 2007, fire at 607 N. 58th Ave., which burned a 20 by 20-foot area of shrubs. A damage amount wasn't available. The same day as that fire, an estimated $4,000 worth of shrubs burned at Robertson Elementary School at 2807 W. Lincoln Ave.
* On Aug. 27, a fire at 1400 Gordon Road burned 1,800 wooden fruit bins. The affidavit states that two arsonists shoved tumbleweeds between the bins and lit them. An insurance claim listed damages of $76,863.
* On Oct. 6, a fire at 80th Avenue and Zier Road damaged a power pole, a lawn sprinkler and 25 feet of junipers. Loss was estimated at $5,500.
* On Oct. 31, a 2000 Dodge pickup was firebombed at 603 S. 10th Ave. Police said that fire was started using a recipe for homemade napalm found on the Internet. Authorities said the firebombing was in retaliation for an earlier fight between one of the Mayday members and the truck's owner. Damage was estimated at $3,612.
Authorities said the older suspect was linked only to the fire at Robertson Elementary School. Police said they expect to arrest more suspects, but did not say how many.
According to the Mayday-Mob's site on Myspace.com, the group is made up of young men in their late teens who like to "rip it up on our skateboards" and pull "hilarious pranks." Investigators have so far interviewed several Mayday members.
Police began interviewing Mayday members in January after an informant contacted the Yakima County Sheriff's Office regarding reward money offered in the investigation of the fires.