CARLINVILLE, IL (KMOX) - Macoupin County authorities believe they've caught the person who has set 11 fires to vacant barns and houses in the county since mid-January.
Sheriff Shawn Kahl tells KMOX, 30-year-old Christopher Walker of Carlinville was picked up Tuesday night, a few hours after he allegedly set fire to an abandoned farmhouse south of Carlinville.
"I'd rather not comment about how we actually came across him or developed him as a suspect, but we had been looking into this subject for a week or so now," Kahl says.
Kahl says the task force he formed last week, consisting of his investigators, the State Fire Marshal's office and Secretary of State's office played a key role in solving the case.
"I believe that was a key to it," Kahl says. "Just a lot of teamwork and everybody coming together, putting our heads together and figuring it out."
Walker is charged with four counts of arson, six counts of aggravated arson and one count of criminal property damage. He's being held without bail.
Four volunteer firefighters were injured battling the blazes. Kahl isn't commenting on Walker's motive. He believes Walker was acting alone.