Dates and Locations:
December 25, 2023, 500 Pampa Dr.
February 17, 2024, 4811 S. Congress Ave
February 20, 2024, 4811 S. Congress Ave
February 25, 2024, 400 Nueces St.
Case Numbers: 2023-3591016, 2024-480737, 2024-5004786, 2024-5005318
Arrested: Dorsey Bryan Hardeman, 75 years of age
Investigators with the Austin Fire Department (AFD) have charged 75-year-old Dorsey Bryan Hardeman in connection with multiple fires in Austin in recent months. The first fire was intentionally set on December 25, 2023 at 500 Pampa Dr., a property Hardeman was attempting to purchase. On February 17 and 20, 2024 fires were intentionally set at 4811 S. Congress Ave; investigators believe this was in an effort to clear the property of two remaining mobile homes that were hindering the sale or development of the property. Through video evidence and follow-up investigative work, investigators discovered that Hardeman was the person who intentionally set these fires. While investigating the previous fires, another fire was intentionally set on February 25, 2024 at 400 Nueces St. During the course of that investigation, Hardeman was recognized on security video as the person responsible for that fire. The connection to the 500 Pampa Dr. fire was made on March 8, 2024 after the insurance company obtained surveillance video and provided it to investigators. Hardeman is observed setting the fire in this video, as well.
Dorsey Brian Hardeman was taken into custody by Austin Police on Wednesday, April 24, 2024 and is currently in custody at the Travis County Jail. He has been charged with two counts of 1st Degree Felony Arson in the S. Congress fires, and one count of 2nd Degree Felony Arson in the 500 Pampa Dr. fire. Hardeman had been previously arrested on February 29, 2024 for the fire at 400 Nueces St.