City of Austin
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASERelease Date:
Contact: Public Information Office 512-974-5072 Email
Date: April 2, 2024
Locations: 12900 N IH 35 Service road SB, 1112 W. Parmer Ln.
Case Numbers: 2024-930430, 2024-930849
Arrested: Richard Dale Price, 60 years of age
Arson Investigators with the Austin Fire Department (AFD) have arrested 60-year-old Richard Dale Price in connection with a string of dumpster fires on Tuesday, April 2, 2024. At approximately 9:19 a.m., a dumpster fire was reported in the 12900 N IH 35 Southbound Service Road. Throughout the day, several more dumpster fires were reported, and around 3 p.m., an AFD Arson Investigator observed Richard Dale Price walking near a dumpster fire. He was detained without incident and has been charged in connection with two fires. He is a person of interest in at least five others.
Price is currently charged with a Class A Misdemeanor in one incident, and for the dumpster fire that spread to the French Quarter restaurant causing approximately $10,000 in damages, he is charged with State Jail Felony Arson.
The investigation into the additional cases is ongoing.