San Diego County Crime Stoppers and investigators from the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department’s Bomb/Arson Unit are asking for the public’s help to identify and locate the suspect responsible for starting a structure fire in Pala.
On Monday, August 10, 2020 between 9:15 p.m. and 9:30 p.m., a fire broke out on an abandoned property located in the 1700 block of Portillo Road in Pala. The fire was first seen by a citizen walking by in the grass near an abandoned vehicle that was parked in front of the abandoned residence. Neighbors called 9-1-1 and attempted to put out the fire. The fire grew and spread to the vehicle and abandoned residence. The Pala Fire Department responded and put out the flames. The fire was determined to be suspicious in nature. The Sheriff’s Bomb/Arson Unit is investigating the incident.
A neighbor’s video surveillance captured an unknown subject walking in the area prior to the fire.
***Friends of the victim are offering a $1,500 reward in addition to Crime Stoppers’ $1,000 reward to anyone with information that leads to an arrest in this case.***
Anyone with information on the identity or location of the suspect is asked to call the Sheriff’s Bomb/Arson Unit at (619) 660-3303 or the Crime Stoppers anonymous tip line at (888) 580-8477. Crime Stoppers is offering up to a $2,500 reward to anyone with information that leads to an arrest in this case. Visit our website at sdcrimestoppers.org to learn how to submit an anonymous web or mobile app tip.
• Media inquiries about this case should be directed to Sheriff’s Detective Dan Wilson at (619) 660-3303 or email at
Dan.Wilson@sdsheriff.org.
• Media inquiries about Crime Stoppers can be directed to Officer Mark Herring at (619) 531-1500 or email at msherring@pd.sandiego.gov or Deputy Marcial Lopez at (619) 531-1547 or email at marcial.lopez.@sdsheriff.or
