News & Columns > News Team > Arson Suspect Cleared by CHP (Update)

Arson Suspect Cleared by CHP (Update)

Booked on Traffic Related Offenses

By News Team
Monday, November 17, 2008

View Alert

Update - Monday 10:25 a.m.

San Bernardino, CA – The California Highway Patrol reports the unidentified man suspected of tossing lighted materials from his pick-up on Highway 18 has been cleared of all arson related charges.

Spokesperson Gary Fernandez told RIMOFTHEWORLD.net the man was booked on traffic related charges but that investigators were unable to find anything connecting the man with possible arson on Highway 18.

"Nothing was found by arson investigators during sweeps along Highway 18, where the man was suspected of tossing burning materials from his vehicle," Fernandez explained. "And officers couldn't find any link to such an act inside the pick-up truck he was driving when detained at 40th and Waterman."

Original Story

San Bernardino, CA – The California Highway Patrol has a possible arson suspect in custody after he was apprehended at 40th and Waterman in San Bernardino early this afternoon.

CHP Officer making an arrest of a suspect, possibly connected to the attempted arson. (Photo by Scott Straley.)

RIMOFTHEWORLD.net was on scene and talked with CHP spokesperson Wally Wood who indicated that the suspect was being held for failure to provide a driver's license and proof of insurance while the investigation continues.

Wood told RIMOFTHEWORLD.net that the unnamed suspect had been stopped a short time prior to his arrest for speeding on Highway 18. The CHP officer who made the initial stop was contacted following his release by an individual claiming the suspect threw a lighted object from his vehicle and then sped off.

The incident is under investigation and the individual's vehicle has been impounded.

Investigators impound a vehicle possibly connected with the attemped arson along Highway 18. (Photo by Scott Straley.)

Sources close to the investigation indicate the vehicle may be registered to the suspect's brother who apparently gave him permission to borrow the vehicle.

Fire and law enforcement authorities conducted an area check along Highway 18 to try and locate an evidence of possible arson. The results of their check were not immediately available.

See Fire Watch.