Deputies in Riverside County have arrested a man who allegedly started multiple fires earlier this week, one of which killed a person.
According to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department, a report of multiple fires came in late Monday afternoon around 4:45 p.m. in the 45000 block of State Highway 79 in the rural community of Aguanga.
“Multiple reporting parties advised that a travel trailer and a vacant ravine were engulfed in flames,” RCSD said.
Upon arriving in the area, deputies attempted to evacuate all residents near the trailer fire as Cal Fire crews extinguished the blaze and began cleanup operations.
While investigating, the remains of a person were located inside the trailer, officials said.
Their identity is being withheld pending notification of next-of-kin.
The following day, deputies were continuing their investigation when they received a report of a suspicious person near the intersection of State Highway 79 and State Highway 371, which is around the same area where the fires broke out.
The man was later identified as 48-year-old Garett Preston Young of Aguanga.
“Young had been identified as the subject possibly involved in the fatal fires that had occurred on Monday afternoon,” officials stated in a media release issued Wednesday. “Information was developed that led to the arrest of Young.”
He was booked into the Cois Byrd Detention Center for homicide and additional arson-related charges.
While the investigation remains ongoing, no additional suspects are being sought, RCSD said.
Anyone with further information surrounding the case is asked to contact Investigator T. Gilbert with the Central Homicide Unit by calling 951-955-1777. Information can also be relayed to Hemet Station Investigator R. Martinez by calling 951-791-3400.
