An accused serial burglar has been arrested in Nashville after accidentally setting himself on fire.
Officials with Metro Nashville Police said Robert Dowell faces at least 17 charges after being arrested Thursday.
His alleged crime spree came to an end at BBB Auto Sales when police said he accidentally set himself on fire.
Investigators said surveillance shows Dowell breaking into the business to steal car keys and then setting fire to the van he arrived in.
Detectives said the video also shows him accidentally setting himself on fire before stealing a car and leaving.
Police caught up with him later and said he admitted to that incident and several other recent burglaries.
Dowell has been accused hitting at least eight businesses over the last month. In each of those, a suspect was seen on camera.
Detectives were able to identify him largely based on his tattoos, including Nashville's area code 615, inked on his forearm.
