Illegal immigrant arrested after setting vehicles on fire
Comments 20 | Recommend 1
March 4, 2009 - 4:58 PM
FROM STAFF REPORTS

ADELANTO • For the second time in two weeks, an illegal alien was arrested on suspicion of arson, San Bernardino County Sheriff’s officials said Wednesday.


Deputy Roosevelt Dutra of the Adelanto sheriff’s station found the two vehicles on fire in the driveway of a residence in the 14600 block of Agave Way around 2 a.m. Saturday.


Dutra evacuated the home after the fire spread to the residence. He then used a garden hose to slow the fire until the San Bernardino County Fire Department arrived, sheriff’s officials said.


No one was injured, according to authorities.


Through an investigation, Dutra learned Noel Santiago, 23, was responsible for starting the fire, officials said.


Santiago was arrested for possession of a destructive device and booked at the Victor Valley Jail. He is being held in lieu of $1 million bail, authorities said.


Investigators later learned that Santiago is in the country illegally and Immigration and Naturalization Services had placed a hold on him, sheriff’s officials said.


This is the second illegal immigrant in less than three weeks to be arrested after allegedly setting fire to a vehicle in Adelanto. In February, illegal alien Hector Escobar, 38, was arrested for setting a Ford Expedition on fire on Palmdale Road. According to Pamela Hoffman, spokeswoman for the Adelanto station, the two arrests have no connection.

www.vvdailypress.com