U.S. Marshals Lone Star Fugitive Task Force Apprehends Violent Suspect Sought for Arson

Austin, TX – The Lone Star Fugitive Task Force apprehended a suspect Tuesday afternoon who was wanted for an arson that occurred in the 6300 block of Burns Street.

James Sailors, 35, of Austin, was wanted for arson following an incident that occurred Jan. 4 and was filed in a Municipal Court in Travis County. According to the affidavit, Sailors allegedly fired multiple shots at a neighbor's car with a rifle on December 31. On January 3, he allegedly threatened a victim that he placed a bomb in the oven, followed by multiple threats to include death. On January 4, Austin Fire responded to a vehicle fire and learned it was intentionally set with the discovery of three incendiary devices following an arson investigation.

The Austin Fire Department requested assistance from the Lone Star Fugitive Task Force to locate and apprehend Sailors. Members of the task force quickly conducted a fugitive investigation and developed information that placed Sailors at a nearby hotel. While surveilling the location, task force officers observed Sailors getting into a stolen vehicle. He was later arrested in the 300 block of Allen Street in East Austin, after he fled from the vehicle on foot and attempted to hide at a nearby construction site where he was found wearing a safety vest to disguise his appearance.

Sailors was transported by the Austin Police Department to the Travis County Jail.

Members of the Lone Star Fugitive Task Force in Austin –

• Austin Police Department-Tactical Intelligence Unit
• Georgetown and Round Rock Police Department
• Travis, Caldwell, Hays, Williamson and Bastrop County Sheriff's Office
• Texas Attorney Generals Office
• Texas Department of Criminal Justice Office of Inspector General
• Texas Department of Public Safety
• U.S. Immigration & Customs Enforcement
• U.S. Department of Homeland Security/Homeland Security Investigations
• U.S. Marshals Service