Arson Suspect Arrested in Loma Linda

LOMA LINDA>> On Sept. 7 at approximately 2 a.m., deputies and fire personnel responded to a debris fire behind businesses at Redlands Blvd. and Anderson Street in the City of Loma Linda. Fire personnel quickly extinguished the fire and there were no witnesses at the location. During regular business hours, a business owner contacted law enforcement regarding video surveillance footage of the fire. The video surveillance showed a male suspect using a torch or lighter to set debris on fire. The male suspect left the location prior to law enforcement and fire response. Deputy T. McComas retained the video surveillance as evidence. The following day, at approximately 8:30 a.m., McComas made consensual contact with a male subject in the area of Mountain View Avenue and Barton Road matching the description of the suspect in the video. The subject was identified as 35-year-old Jason Barrett. As a result of the contact, Barrett was positively identified as the suspect who started the fire. Barrett is a transient who has an arrest history in California from Los Angeles County. He also has out of state arrests in Colorado, Connecticut and Florida. Barrett was arrested and booked into the Central Detention Center. The arson investigation is still in progress regarding the total property loss and damages at the location. Anyone with information regarding this case is urged to contact Central Station at (909) 387-3545. Callers wishing to remain anonymous are urged to call the We-Tip Hotline at 1-800-78-CRIME (27463) or you may leave information on the website at www.wetip.com