Suspect Under Arrest in Santa Paula Arson

pilule arial, ampoule sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;”>Santa Paula Police Department –  Incident Press Release

drugs arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;”>On Friday, December 23, 2016 at approximately 2:10pm, officers of the Santa Paula Police Department responded to the area of 12th and Santa Paula Street regarding a fire. Upon arrival, a bush and palm tree were on fire. Witnesses in the area advised the suspect who lit the fire fled east on Santa Paula Street. The witnesses described the suspect as a male wearing a straw hat, blue jeans and holding a sign. While checking the area, officers located the suspect in a vacant dirt lot just south of Santa Paula Street near 13th Street. The suspect, identified as John Soto age 45 of Santa Paula, refused to comply with officers orders. As officers attempted to conduct a pat down search on the suspect for weapons, he tensed up and began to resist. With the assistance of a police canine, officers were able to gain control of the suspect and place him in custody. During the investigation, officers learned that a nearby business captured the suspect starting the fire from a video surveillance system.

Soto was arrested for arson and resisting arrest.  After being processed at the Santa Paula Police Department Soto was transported to Ventura County Main Jail where he is being held on no bail.

If anyone who witnessed this incident please contact Sgt. Cody Madison at (805) 525-4474 x 220 or at [email protected].  You can remain anonymous.

John Soto

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