A former Detroit firefighter is locked up on a $1 million bond after being charged in a series of arsons and robberies that officials say "shock the conscience," including one incident in which he allegedly stole two pit bull puppies, a refrigerator and a stove from a house before setting the place on fire. Another time, he allegedly robbed a fire station while crews were out battling a blaze.
He had set that fire, too, the prosecutor said, stressing these alleged crimes by a one-time firefighter "are hard to wrap our brains around."
“We have all heard stories about firefighter firebugs. Luckily, this is a small number of firefighters, but these stories are indeed hard to wrap our brains around. Unfortunately, it happens, and it shocks the conscience,"
Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy said in announcing criminal charges on Monday, Aug. 10 against 52-year-old Eric Dwayne Anderson."The alleged criminal actions of this former firefighter are horrifying. We will do everything in our power under the law to hold him fully accountable," Worthy added.
Anderson was initially held on a $500,000 cash bond following his Aug. 8 arraignment before 36th District Court Magistrate Delphia Burton. But two days later, Judge William McConico presumably didn't think that was sufficient given his action: He increased the bond to $1 million and ordered Anderson on house arrest with a GPS tether should he post the bond.
An attorney of record for Anderson could not be reached for comment.
According to Worthy's office, Anderson resigned from the Detroit Fire Department on June 8, 2023. Reasons for his resignation were not provided.
Almost three years after his resignation, officials said, he would begin a series of crimes that targeted homes on the city's west side, allegedly setting fires from July through August that left no one injured, but upended the lives of homeowners while putting firefighters in harm's way.
According to the prosecutor's office, here is a timeline of the fires and break-ins that led to Anderson's arrest:
On July 10, 2026, Anderson allegedly broke into a home in the 8500 block of Bryden Street between 6:20 a.m. and 6:50 a.m., and made off with a refrigerator, stove, and two pit bull puppies. Less than half an hour later, he allegedly returned to the scene, set the house on fire, and took off.
Five days later came two more arson, again early in the morning.
It was July 15, when at about 6:32 a.m. Anderson allegedly set fire to a garage on the 8500 block of Central Street and took off. Five minutes later, he allegedly set fire to a commercial dumpster located in front of a house on the 8300 block of Bryden Street. He took off again.
Two weeks later, officials said, he struck again.
Defendant Anderson has been charged with one count of second-degree home invasion and one count of second-degree arson.
Defendant Anderson has been charged with one count of third-degree arson and one count of fifth-degree arson. On July 29 at about 4:57 a.m., Anderson allegedly set a house on fire in the 8500 block of Bryden Street and fled. Detroit firefighters responded and put it out. Meanwhile, as firefighters put out that fire, officials said, Anderson went to the firehouse in the 6300 block of West Chicago and stole some items from the building.
Five days later came another fire, this one in the 8500 block of Roselawn. At approximately 6:18 a.m. on Aug. 4, Anderson allegedly went to the house, set it on fire and took off.
Two days later, prosecutors said, his reign of terror would end..
On Aug. 7, following an investigation by the Detroit Police Department, Anderson was arrested.
Anderson is facing multiple charges, including: second-degree arson; breaking and entering a building with intent; four counts of larceny in a building and four counts of financial transaction device – stealing/retaining without consent.
“The allegations in this case are deeply disturbing, particularly because they involve a former member of the Detroit Fire Department and an alleged theft from a firehouse while our firefighters were out answering a call for help," Detroit Fire Commissioner Charles Simms said in a statement. "Anyone who deliberately sets fires, steals from a firehouse, or otherwise jeopardizes the safety of Detroiters will be held accountable, regardless of who they are or whether they have ever worn a Detroit Fire Department uniform.“
Anderson is due back in court on Aug. 18 for a probable cause hearing, during which a judge will decide whether there's enough evidence to send the case to trial.
Tresa Baldas:tbaldas@freepress.com
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Ex-Detroit firefighter jailed on $1 million bond. Here's why
