Son of OC Firefighter arrested in connection with Yorba Linda arson fires

UPDATE: Castillo is the son of an 18-year veteran Orange County Fire Authority firefighter stationed in Santa Ana, according to the statement. (NBC News)

NEWS RELEASE, FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contacts: Lt. Jeff Hallock, OCSD, (714) 904-7042/Batt. Chief Kelly Zimmerman, OCFA, (714) 483-0194

Suspect Arrested in Connection with Yorba Linda Arson Fires

YORBA LINDA, CA – (August 26, 2013) – On Sunday August 25, 2013 an arrest was made in connection with three (3) arson fires that were set in the east Yorba Linda area last week. Gabriel Michael Castillo, 19, Anaheim Hills was arrested and booked into Orange County Jail on charges of arson following a collaborative investigation by the Orange County Sheriff’s Department (OCSD), Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA), Anaheim Police Department (APD) and Anaheim Fire & Rescue (AF&R).

Each of the three (3) arson fires were brush fires and did not cause injury or damage to any structures. Management of the criminal investigation was transitioned from the OCFA Fire Investigation Team to the OCSD following information connecting the suspect to an OCFA Firefighter.

Castillo is the son of an 18 year veteran OCFA Firefighter stationed in the city of Santa Ana.

Anyone with additional information is encouraged to call Sheriff’s Investigators at (714) 647-7000 or the Orange County Crime Stoppers at 855-TIP-OCCS (855-847-6227)

Art Pedroza Editor

Our Editor, Art Pedroza, worked at the O.C. Register and the OC Weekly and studied journalism at CSUF and UCI. He has lived in Santa Ana for over 30 years and has served on several city and county commissions. When he is not writing or editing Pedroza specializes in risk control and occupational safety. He also teaches part time at Cerritos College and CSUF. Pedroza has an MBA from Keller University.

See Full Bio