Police are hunting for a wanted man have arrested him.
Detectives put out an appeal to find James Murfitt on Tuesday (30 September) in connection with an arson attack on two cars in Thirsk.
A North Yorkshire Police spokesperson said: “Yesterday we issued an appeal to help find a 29-year-old, from Sowerby near Thirsk.
“He has now been arrested and is in police custody. Thank you to everyone who shared our appeal.
Original story
Wanted: Police hunt this man after incident outside North Yorkshire pub
Police are hunting for this wanted man tonight (Tuesday).
He’s James Murfitt and he’s being investigated in connection with an arson attack on two cars in Thirsk Mark Place at around 1.40am yesterday (Monday).
A North Yorkshire Police spokesperson said: “It is also alleged that he made threats to cause criminal damage and used threatening words and behaviour.
“The 29-year-old is believed to be in the Thirsk and Northallerton area.
“In support of our extensive enquiries to find him, we are urging people to come forward who may have seen Murfitt and to report any information that could lead to his arrest.”
Dan Lishman, who runs the Royal pub in the Market Place, told the BBC that the cars, a BMW and Mercedes, belonged to him and his partner.
They were parked a short distance away from the pub, near the end of the beer garden, when the fire started. Both were destroyed in the blaze.
Afterwards they closed the pub.
Dan posted on Facebook yesterday: “Unfortunately as most people will start seeing from today the aftermath of what happened early hours this morning, we can’t say when our doors will be open again!
“We’ve both got a lot of things we need to sort! All I can say for now is thank god for CCTV!
“We can’t apologise to our neighbours enough, no one should ever have to go through what we all did last night!”
Police ask anyone with an immediate sighting of Murfitt to dial 999 “to make sure we can quickly bring him into custody for questioning”.
If you have relevant information, call 101, and quote reference 12250183160.
Or you can remain anonymous by contacting Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or report what you know online.
A North Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service spokesperson said: “Crews from Thirsk and Northallerton, and a Fire Investigation Officer, were mobilised to two cars on fire in a car park to the rear of the Market Place, Thirsk, at 1.46am on Monday.
“The fire spread to a fence. 100% fire damage was caused to both the cars and the fence. Crews used two breathing apparatus, two hose reel jets a thermal imaging camera and lighting to deal with the incident.”
