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Arson suspect arrested in Ector Co.

One man is behind bars after being arrested on arson charges. Lewis Beckwith, 47, is charged with arson in connection with two dumpster fires and grass fire that was set along a fence line.
Lewis Beckwith (Source: Ector County Detention Center)

ECTOR COUNTY, TX (KWES) - One man is behind bars after being arrested on arson charges.

Lewis Beckwith, 47, is charged with arson in connection with two dumpster fires and grass fire that was set along a fence line.

We're told Deputy Sean Dixon was working on his day off Tuesday as a volunteer for the West Odessa Volunteer Fire Department and was called out to the 2900 block of Mercury Ave.

Authorities said that while firefighters were extinguishing the fire, Dixon saw a man set the dumpster on fire and he gave a description of the suspect.

We're told a short time later, a second dumpster fire was reported along with a small grass fire, within a nine block area of Mercury Ave.

According to the report, Dixon spotted the man, later identified as Beckwith.

When Beckwith was asked why he had been identified as a suspect, Beckwith said it was a coincidence and that he was just in the area when it happened.

The report stated that Dixon asked Beckwith to stay in the area, but Beckwith fled the scene.

On Wednesday, Dixon, who was on duty, spoke with Beckwith at his job and Beckwith admitted to setting four fires.

Beckwith was taken to the Ector County Detention Center.

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