PALM BAY, Fla. -- People close to arson suspect Brian Crowder told Eyewitness News he didn't start those fires. A woman who lived with Crowder gave WFTV reporter Tim Wetzel a note saying police have the wrong man.

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All day Wednesday, the people inside Brian Crowder's home on Breakwater Street (see map) avoided reporters. They refused to come to the front door, they closed door on the back porch and one guy even tried to shut the garage door on an Eyewitness News reporter.

The residents eventually called the police after a Miami TV crew repeatedly knocked on their door. Then, a woman named Michele Demartino came outside and handed reporter Tim Wetzel a note.

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WATCH REPORT: Suspect's Roommate Gives WFTV Reporter Note

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The note says Crowder was staying there only temporarily. He had taken her car Wednesday morning and got pulled over. She said Crowder ran from police because he had outstanding warrants. The woman claims Crowder has been home there since Friday and said he's not the person who started the fires. She wouldn't elaborate any further.

Wednesday morning police swarmed Breakwater Street, where Crowder was arrested just a few homes down.