Suspected arsonist arrested in connection to Anderson fires
Photo courtesy of the Shasta County Sheriff's Office
The Shasta County Sheriff's Office says they have arrested the man they believe set the fires in Anderson Friday morning.
According to officials, Samuel Villa Scholfield, 19, from Cottonwood, was arrested Friday morning after detectives came across the first fire in Anderson.
Officials said earlier in the week, detectives with the Shasta County Major Crimes Unit had developed a lead on a possible suspect vehicle, a red four-door compact that was seen on video surveillance in the area of recent fires on October 14 and 20.
As a result, detectives with the Major Crimes Unit assisted Cal Fire, Anderson police, and the Anderson Fire Protection District with conducting saturation patrols in the vicinity of Friday's reported fires.
At approximately 5:15 a.m., detectives spotted a 2000 red Nissan Sentra leaving the area of Driftstone Drive in Anderson.
Investigators checked the area and found an active fire that had been set at 3050 Driftstone Drive. A traffic stop was then done on the Nissan Sentra and detectives spoke with Scholfield.
Officials said Scholfield was interviewed and then booked into the Shasta County Jail on a charge of arson for the fires reported early Friday morning in Anderson. His bail was set at $800,000.
Detectives along with investigators with the Arson Taskforce are examining a large amount of evidence including physical, biological, and digital media regarding the over 40 arson incidents, which date back to July.
A search warrant was served at Scholfield's home at 3315 Chestnut Street in Cottonwood, which is in the immediate area of the original 14 Cottonwood arson incidents that began in July through mid October.
One of the fires on Willow Street, in Cottonwood, claimed the life of Barcie Miller, 86.
Officials said this investigation is ongoing and will continue to evolve over the next several days.
If any residents in the areas listed above have surveillance video, please call the Shasta County Sheriff's Office Major Crimes Unit at 530-245-6135.
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