CAL FIRE, Deputies Seek Suspect in Two Arson Fires Near Swains Flat
CAL FIRE confirms they’re actively seeking the man in this surveillance photo in connection with two arson-related fires near Swains Flat Sunday afternoon. [Photo courtesy of Cody James]
Law enforcement officers continue to search for a suspect believed to have started two vegetation fires along Highway 36 near Swains Flat on Sunday afternoon.
Witnesses stated the fires, reported around 1:35 p.m. Sunday, were started by the man in the photo of surveillance footage above after reportedly stating his intention to start the fires. Firefighters were able to stop forward progress on both fires a little after 4 p.m. Sunday. A telephone pole was damaged after one fire was set at the base of the communications pole, no other structure damages were reported. The combined final acreage was 0.21 acres.
CAL FIRE Fire Captain Specialist Jordan Kilbury told Redheaded Blackbelt Monday that investigators were in the area shortly after the fires were reported and again today, working with Humboldt County Sheriff’s deputies to locate the suspect. While multiple callers have reported that the man may be still in the area, Kilbury said most of the information so far has been second-hand, with no verified sightings.
Officials urge anyone who sees the suspect or knows his identity to call 911 immediately. Kilbury emphasized that investigators are “doing everything they can” to follow up on each lead and identify the individual responsible.
Earlier: [UPDATE 4:22 p.m.] Firefighters Battle Two Suspected Arson Fires Near Swains Flat on Highway 36
Update: [Update: Video] Arson Suspect in Swains Flat Fires Reportedly ‘Tied Up’ Near Carlotta
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Why do we get to see a picture of a possible perpetrator yet, often enough, we don’t get to see the picture of an actual perpetrator – when we know they will be released?
I’d like to see the booking photos too but you’re making a comparison between beach balls and burritos.
The 9th circuit has ruled it’s prejudicial for a public agency to post mug shots of people who’ve been arrested and are pending their day in court.
But no court has ruled that a public agency is prohibited from posting surveillance photos of suspects who pose an immediate threat and are actively being sought.
I think the 9th circuit is wrong but the ruling wasn’t appealed so we’re stuck with it unless something changes.
I agree the mugshots should be public info — they’ll get their day in court but there’s a huge public benefit in knowing who’s accused of skulking around.
And bc the names and descriptions are released it’s stupid to withhold the pics.
Nice to see the photo and kudos to this news site for doing so, especially given the gravity of the public safety concern . I wish more news sites would do so.
Hope they catch them and make an example out of them . What kind of loser lowlife douchebag would intentionally set a fire that could kill and damage so much???
Just look for the green Teletubby; shouldn’t be that hard to find.
ALEX JONES IS THAT YOU?!
Oh wait no nevermind that’s just a photo of climate change.
It does kinda look like him, albeit in his 20’s.🌻
”from each according to Zey’s abilities, to each according to Zer’s needs”
-Newt Reagan
It’s Trumps Cousin.
Looks to me like he’s carrying a concealed long gun, within that tubular bag thing he’s carrying…
Judging by the way the strap handle is pulling, it shouldn’t be hanging the way it’s hanging, unless it’s got something like a long gun inside of it, the butt of which is affixed in some way to his right hip/belt/pocket area…
It wouldn’t be protruding out in front of him like it is, the way he is “reining it in”, unless it was attached to his right hip area…
Look close, is that the butt end of a weapon coming out the trailing end of his tubular bag…???
Maybe it’s just my imagination, but I can almost make out a pistol grip and maybe even a trigger guard…
Then again, it also looks like he has a kitten in his coat’s right lower pocket, just inside of his right hand…
Careful, once you “see” it, you can’t un see it…
LOL…!!!
Hyper-observance has it’s disadvantages…
But, I wouldn’t rule out that he is possibly carrying a concealed long gun, possibly with a pistol grip or folding butt stock…
It also looks like there is a strap, or “sling”, hanging from the vicinity of the tubular bag, down along the front of his left front inner thigh…
But maybe I’m just tripping…
His pants/shorts are also appearing to be double layered, adding to the potential for additional concealment…
Weapons and camo sometimes go hand in hand…
His haircut is over and above high and tight…
That takes discipline…
Or its a skullcap disguise…
Looks like he might be wearing a glove on his right hand…
And what’s holding up the top zipper area of that bag…???
An AR style “rail”…???
Maybe it’s just a pistol type affair…???
And why does it appear to be duct taped around the rear of the bag, complete with an access hole…???
To get to the “action”…???
I wonder if a weapon could be shot from inside such an enclosure…???
It wouldn’t scatter brass everywhere…
He’s definitely making extra efforts with his left hand, in order to help his right hand, which would be his gun hand, free and at the ready…
Which just goes to show you that the warning to never approach a suspected arsonist is probably very wise advise…
Sounds to me like we’ve got a suspect over here….. Is that a kitten?
[edit]
This guy is a tweaker, it’s likely a bag of tweaker burglary tools.
What color socks?
This is in Mendocino County right?
I think it’s in Carlotta, not Mendo County
No socks…
Prosthetic leg…???
His left hand seems possibly affected by some sort of previous injury the way his pinky and ring finger are flexed and contracted
And what’s with the sunglasses that look like they are just glued to the top of his head…???
It’s like high noon, DST adjusted…
Why isn’t he wearing his shades where they belong…???
And why are those sunglasses just perched precariously on top of his head..???
They would just fall right off…
The sunglasses have regular “arms”, not wrap around “arms’…
What’s holding them on his head or skull cap, glue???
Why wouldn’t he just stick them in one of his pockets…???
Trying to make a skull cap look real…???
And what’s with the caribiner on his right breast…???
And his eyebrows look like they’ve been reduced…
The beard with no mustache thing is also notable and remarkable…
Is that a style or is it more of a tradition…???
I guess its important to remind myself and others that this guy is just a suspect that hasn’t been convicted of anything related to the arson that may have occurred…
To be presumed and innocent until proven guilty…
Trinity County isn’t claiming it’s their jurisdiction…
Same with Mendocino…
A group of folks has someone hogtied in the back of a pickup truck at mile 18 on hwy 36. Wonder if it’s related..