Three arson attacks in less than 72 hours targeting south Salinas businesses left business owners cleaning up thousands of dollars in damage and police searching for arsonists. The first in a series of fires started on August 9 when someone lit a kettle on fire. behind the Wing Stop near CVS Pharmacy. Two days later, an ATM outside Union Bank was destroyed by fire in the early hours of the morning. Later that evening, based on bank surveillance video, police arrested 36-year-old Fernando Guatemala and charged him with arson. And then, on August 12, someone wearing a hoodie was seen starting a fire outside MYO Frozen Yogurt. That fire led to several large windows being broken. “I mean all businesses, let alone small businesses in these communities, they’re just trying to survive after a pandemic and all the other things that have been thrown our way, it’s just another thing to deal with with it, but what are you going to do, you have to keep moving,” said Molly Meyer, owner of MYO Frozen Yogurt. Fire investigators believe the fires are random acts by different people, in this case, homeless people, according to those close to the investigation. In fact, firefighters say the homeless are responsible for 311 fires so far this year; a 40% increase from last year. Earlier this summer, a homeless man was arrested, accused of setting a series of fires near the Vietnam Memorial near Laurel. And last year two buildings were destroyed by arson near Work and John streets and again investigators say two homeless people were to blame. One was arrested walking along the 101 freeway with black soot on his shoes. Salinas Mayor Kimbley Craig says addressing the needs of homelessness continues to be a top priority. of the homeless its wrapped housing-related services and the city is leading on that,” Craig said. “I feel for these people, but you have the services there for them, so you just hope they take advantage of it, that’s all you can do,” Meyer said. Salinas police say officers will remain vigilant on patrol, especially in the areas where those arsons started. They remind people if you see something, say something.
Three arson attacks in less than 72 hours that targeted south Salinas businesses left business owners cleaning up thousands of dollars in damage and police searching for arsonists.
The first in a series of fires began Aug. 9 when someone lit a drum on fire behind the Wing Stop near CVS Pharmacy.
Two days later, an ATM outside Union Bank was destroyed by fire in the early hours of the morning. Later that evening, based on bank surveillance video, police arrested 36-year-old Fernando Guatemala and charged him with arson.
And then, on August 12, someone wearing a hoodie was seen starting a fire outside MYO Frozen Yogurt. This fire led to the breaking of several large windows.
“I mean all businesses, let alone small businesses in these communities, just trying to survive after a pandemic and all the other things that have been thrown our way, it’s just another thing to deal with yes, but what you’re going to do is keep moving,” said Molly Meyer, owner of MYO Frozen Yogurt.
Fire investigators believe the fires are random acts by different people, in this case homeless people according to people close to the investigation. In fact, firefighters say the homeless are responsible for 311 fires so far this year; an increase of 40% from last year.
Earlier this summer, a homeless man was arrested, accused of setting a series of fires near the Vietnam Memorial near Laurel. And last year two buildings were destroyed by arson near Work and John streets and again investigators say two homeless people were to blame. One was arrested walking along the 101 freeway with black soot on his shoes.
Salinas Mayor Kimbley Craig says addressing the needs of homelessness continues to be a top priority.
“Whether it’s the transition of drug rehabilitation work from mental health services, all those things that are transitioning from homelessness, its wrapped services related to housing and the city is leading that,” Craig said.
“I feel for these people, but you have the services for them, so you hope they take advantage of it, that’s all you can do,” Meyer said.
Salinas police say officers will remain vigilant while patrolling, especially in the areas where those fires started. They remind people if you see something, say something.