Riverside County man held on suspicion of setting 9 wildfires
- Share via
A Riverside County man has been arrested on suspicion of setting wildfires across the Inland Empire, fire officials said Monday.
Steven Taylor Rutherford, 47, who lives in Banning, is suspected of sparking nine blazes in Riverside and San Bernardino counties, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.
The arrest was the third arson arrest in the last week by Cal Fire investigators and should serve as a warning to others considering similar crimes, the agency said.
“Let it send a message to anyone contemplating this heinous act,” Battalion Chief Julie Hutchinson said.
Rutherford was booked into the Robert Presley Detention Center in Riverside.
Anyone with information on arson fires is asked to call Cal Fire investigators at (800) 468-4408.
ALSO:
30 L.A. firefighters lost in 1933 in Griffith Park blaze
Mayor talks business with local chambers but skips the big groups
Two women drown after being swept out by high surf near Santa Cruz
Twitter: @LAJourno
Sign up for Essential California
The most important California stories and recommendations in your inbox every morning.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
