Photo credit: www.yahoo.com
Suspect Arrested in Connection with Park Fire in Chico
A 42-year-old individual, Ronnie Stout, is facing allegations of initiating the rapidly spreading Park Fire in Chico by intentionally rolling a burning vehicle into a gully.
Stout was apprehended early Thursday morning at approximately 2 a.m. by a team of investigators from Cal Fire and the district attorney’s office in Butte County. Law enforcement surrounded his residence in a mobile home park, employing a loudspeaker to instruct him to exit the home with his hands raised.
Butte County District Attorney Mike Ramsey addressed the media in a press conference later that day, confirming that Stout complied with the orders and was subsequently taken into custody.
The suspect is currently being held without bail at the Butte County Jail as he awaits an arraignment set for Monday afternoon. District Attorney Ramsey indicated that Stout will likely face charges of arson, but specifics about potential enhancements to the charges remain pending as the investigation progresses.
“We hope it will not result in enhancements concerning great bodily injury or death, but it is still too early to assess the complete implications of this fire,” Ramsey stated during the conference.
As reported, the fire has consumed over 125,000 acres, igniting near the Alligator Hole area on Big Chico Creek within Upper Bidwell Park shortly before 3 p.m. on Wednesday. The flames were reportedly sparked after a vehicle rolled down a steep embankment of approximately 60 feet, igniting surrounding vegetation.
According to officials, Stout was seen leaving the scene calmly, blending in with other area residents who were evacuating from the swiftly advancing fire.
Identifying the Arson Suspect
During the press briefing, District Attorney Ramsey elaborated on the process that led to Stout’s identification as the prime suspect in the arson case.
A witness, who was present in Upper Bidwell Park near the Alligator Hole, observed a man—now believed to be Stout—interacting with the vehicle just before the fire started. The witness reported seeing flames erupt from the front left side of Stout’s vehicle and noticed his suspicious behavior, as he appeared to merely observe the fire rather than attempting to extinguish it. After entering and exiting the vehicle, Stout then pushed it down the embankment, igniting further flames.
Stout’s Criminal History
Ramsey also noted that Stout has a previous criminal record, including two prior felony strikes. The first strike originates from a 2001 case in Butte County involving sexual offenses against a minor under 14 years old. The second strike occurred in 2002 in Kern County, where Stout was convicted of robbery resulting in great bodily injury.
In 2003, he was sentenced to a 20-year term in state prison; however, it remains unclear how much of the sentence he actually served.
The investigation into the Park Fire continues as authorities encourage anyone with information or who was present in the Alligator Hole area between noon and 3 p.m. on Wednesday to contact Cal Fire investigations at (530) 538-7888.
This article originally appeared on Redding Record Searchlight: Chico man, 42, suspected of starting Park Fire has prior record
Source
www.yahoo.com