Photo/Illutration Police investigate a neighborhood in Kashiwa, Chiba Prefecture, where a couple was stabbed to death on Dec. 18. (Shota Tomonaga)

Police arrested a 77-year-old man who may have been involved in the stabbing deaths of a couple in Kashiwa, Chiba Prefecture, and a nearby fire that destroyed eight homes, including the suspect’s house.

Kaoru Sakamaki was arrested on Dec. 19 on suspicion of obstructing official duties after he tried to evade police officers in the neighboring city of Inzai.

According to investigators, Sakamaki was in a financial dispute with Toshiaki Watarai and his wife, Reiko, both 59, who were found stabbed to death outside their house in Kashiwa’s Takayanagi district after 6 p.m. on Dec. 18.

The couple had multiple knife wounds on their chests. Defensive wounds were also found on their arms and palms, investigators said.

There were signs of a struggle inside the house, where bloodstains were found, they said.

Shortly after the attack, a fire broke out in the block where Sakamaki lived, destroying eight houses, including his own.

Sakamaki went missing following the fire, and police had been searching for him on suspicion of arson.

On the evening of Dec. 19, police received a report about a “suspicious vehicle” in Inzai. When they arrived at the scene, Sakamaki, who was in a light passenger vehicle, suddenly started his car and tried to escape.

He was caught and arrested.

Sakamaki is currently being treated for burns on his lower body.

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