Serial Arsonist Captured in California
Jim Kouri, CPP
April 04, 2006
David Dillion, 24 and a resident of Redding, was arrested by investigators early today and charged with setting five separate fires in the city within the past two weeks.
On March 18, fire investigators responded to three separate fires in Redding: one at the Hatchcover Restaurant that was undergoing renovation on Hemstead, another outside a dentist's office on Bechelli Lane, and a vegetation fire on Grove. Investigators concluded that the fires were acts of arson.
During the early morning hours of April 1, firefighters and investigators responded to two structure fires: one at Hartnell and Shasta View, and the second at Knollcrest Drive. These fires were also deemed to be arsons.
The total cost of damages of the five fires is set at more than $1 million.
Dillion was initially identified by Redding Patrol Officer Les James as a person of interest, and later became a suspect. Following questioning, Dillion was arrested and taken into state custody and will be charged with multiple violations of Section 451 of the California Penal Code, Arson of a Structure and Vegetation. Dillion was later transported to the Shasta County Jail where he will remain pending arraignment.
"The citizens of Redding will be pleased with today's arrest. Arson is a violent crime, one that has both an emotional and financial impact on the victims and the members of the community," read an ATF statement.
Working together, the Redding Police Department, the Redding Fire Department and ATF aggressively conducted this investigation, and were able to produce results in two short weeks.
"Let the message be clear to anyone who contemplates arson; this type of criminal activity will be vigorously investigated by law enforcement and fire investigators, and justice will be served," said officials from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms.
On March 18, fire investigators responded to three separate fires in Redding: one at the Hatchcover Restaurant that was undergoing renovation on Hemstead, another outside a dentist's office on Bechelli Lane, and a vegetation fire on Grove. Investigators concluded that the fires were acts of arson.
During the early morning hours of April 1, firefighters and investigators responded to two structure fires: one at Hartnell and Shasta View, and the second at Knollcrest Drive. These fires were also deemed to be arsons.
The total cost of damages of the five fires is set at more than $1 million.
Dillion was initially identified by Redding Patrol Officer Les James as a person of interest, and later became a suspect. Following questioning, Dillion was arrested and taken into state custody and will be charged with multiple violations of Section 451 of the California Penal Code, Arson of a Structure and Vegetation. Dillion was later transported to the Shasta County Jail where he will remain pending arraignment.
"The citizens of Redding will be pleased with today's arrest. Arson is a violent crime, one that has both an emotional and financial impact on the victims and the members of the community," read an ATF statement.
Working together, the Redding Police Department, the Redding Fire Department and ATF aggressively conducted this investigation, and were able to produce results in two short weeks.
"Let the message be clear to anyone who contemplates arson; this type of criminal activity will be vigorously investigated by law enforcement and fire investigators, and justice will be served," said officials from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms.
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