>> reporter: sunday a task force of local and federal officials released this surveillance video of a man emerging from an underground parking garage in hollywood, announcing they wanted to speak with him. >> the task force has worked together seamlessly around the clock and currently reviewing more than 100 clues, mapping out the sequin of the fires that occurred, interviewing hundreds of witnesses and canvassing the 53 fire scenes as part of this active investigation. >> reporter: monday morning a man resembling the one in the tape was spotted by a sheriff's deputy. fire officials say the man was driving a van similar to one spotted near suspected arson sites. he was taken into custody for questioning, then the arson spree stopped. >> we have not had any additional fires within the last two to three hours. >> reporter: what inference can we draw from that? >> again, it's too early. that would be purely speculative. >> reporter: as he sat smiling in the back of a patrol car, investigators examined the van and eventually placed him under arrest.