- Ricky Whipple, 29, was arrested on Monday and charged with arson, police said
- San Bernardino deputies said fires were reported at Glen Helen Regional Park
- When deputies arrived to the scene they discovered 11 fires around the park
- Officials said after each fire was started, Whipple ran through a series a storm drain tunnels underneath the freeways to elude capture from the deputies
- Whipple is being held on $250,000 bail and he’s scheduled for court on Jan 17
Ricky Whipple (pictured), 29, was arrested on Monday for allegedly starting 11 fires in a California park
A man was arrested on Monday for allegedly starting 11 fires in California.
The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department said deputies arrested, Ricky Whipple, 29, after they received reports of multiple fires.
Deputies responded to the reported fires around 7.45am on Monday at the Glen Helen Regional Park.
A total of 11 fires were started near the regional park and the 15/215 Freeway interchange, according to the department’s press release.
‘After each fire was started, Whipple ran through a series a storm drain tunnels underneath the freeways to elude capture from the deputies,’ the press release said.
Authorities were able to locate Whipple with the assistance of a helicopter as he walked through the dense brush near Cajon Boulevard and Kenwood Avenue, which was in close proximity of the last fire.
Whipple was detained at the scene without incident.
At the different fire sites, several items of evidence were located that connected Whipple to the fires.
He was charged with aggravated arson and booked into the Central Detention Center.
The fires burned dry vegetation and caused a multi-jurisdictional response from fire crews with the San Bernardino County Fire Department, Cal Fire, and the United States Forest Service.
All the fires were contained and extinguished.
However, fire crews spent several hours cooling down hot spots to prevent additional fire damage.
Whipple is being held on $250,000 bail and he’s scheduled for court on January 17.
The fires burned dry vegetation at the Glen Helen Regional Park (pictured). Whipple was charged with aggravated arson and is being held on $250,000 bail