MURRIETA, CA — A man described by Murrieta police as a “transient” was charged this week with six counts of arson following his arrest on suspicion of setting multiple brush fires near homes.
In addition to the six felony counts, 35-year-old Francisco Villanueva is facing one misdemeanor obstruction count. He was arraigned Tuesday and pleaded not guilty to all charges.
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Shortly after 4 p.m. on March 15, Murrieta Fire & Rescue was called to an area near Clearview Street and Whitewood Road, just east of Interstate 215, regarding “several” brush fires being intentionally set, police said.
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Firefighters doused the blazes and Murrieta police set up a perimeter
The burned area was inside a Riverside County Wildlife Conservation Area set aside for the protection of native plants and animals, police said.
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Murrieta police searched the open space, aided by a drone, and spotted a person crawling in heavy brush. The man, who matched the description of the suspect allegedly setting the fires, appeared to be hiding, according to police.
Police caught up with the man — Villanueva — and arrested him after questioning.
No other suspects were found in the area, according to police.
“Murrieta Fire & Rescue Fire Investigators confirmed that multiple fires were intentionally set, and no additional details will be released at this time,” MFR Fire Investigator Mike Macalinao said.
Villanueva is currently being held at Southwest Detention Center with bail set at $250,000. He is due back in court March 27 for a felony settlement conference.
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