Wednesday, June 26, 2013

CalFire Arrests Arsonists

   CalFire has  reported that after a rash of suspicious fires, their law enforcement officers Tuesday,
June 25, 2013 arrested a Yosemite Lakes Park couple on suspicion of dozens of arson fires.

    Kenneth Alan Jackson, 40 and Allison Marie Waterman, 46, both of Coarsegold, were booked into the Madera County Jail for arson.

   Jackson is being charged with 31 counts of arson, resisting arrest, as well as attempted battery on a peace officer, according to CalFire official Daniel Berlant.  Waterman is charged with a single charge of arson.

  " The Yosemite Lakes Park community has been threatened by coutless wildfires over the past several months that we believe were a result of arson," said Chief Nancy Koerperich, CalFire Unit Chief for the Madera-Mariposa-Merced Unit.

   " We appreciate the community's support and assistance as we worked to track down these suspects."

      CalFire law enforcement officers work diligently in arson cases to aggressively investigate and prosecute those suspected of intentionally starting fires.

   Numerous agencies assisted in the investigation and arrest including the Madera County Sheriff's Department, Madera County District Attorney's Office and the Yosemite Lakes Park security staff.

   As fire danger remains extreme across California, arson is a major threat to both life and property.  Residents should be vigilant in their preparedness and aware of suspicious persons when a fire does start.

   If you witness someone suspicious make note of the time, his or her physical description, as well as any vehicle description, including the license plate number.

   Always contact law enforcement, never approach a suspicious person.  Anyone with information about arson is urged to contact the CalFire Arson Hotline at 1-800-468-4408.  Callers can remain anonymous.

   Yosemite Lakes Park is a community of approximately 1900 homes in Madera County located between Yosemite National Park and Fresno, near the town of Coarsegold.
   

 

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