HPD Officers Arrest Arson Suspect...a string of dumpster fires that were being intentionally set at Florida Ave

On Monday, October 19th, Hemet Police and Hemet Fire responded to a string of dumpster fires that were being intentionally set at Florida Ave. businesses between San Jacinto St. and Yale St. between the hours of 5:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m.

A short time later, officers were able to locate a business with surveillance video that showed the suspect lighting one of the fires. Officers immediately recognized the suspect from previous contacts and began searching the area for him. At approximately 8:00 a.m. Hemet Police Officers located him in the 1800 block of E. Florida Ave. He was arrested and later transported to Riverside County jail.

Arrested: Christopher Smith 01/04/1983
Charges: Arson, Under the Influence of a Controlled Substance & Trespassing
Residence: Hemet
Bail: $5000