NEWS, FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contacts: Lt. Jeff Hallock, 714.904.7042, JHallock@ocsd.org; Carrie Braun, 714.647.1848, CBraun@ocsd.org
Arson Suspect Arrested
YORBA LINDA, Calif. (September 18, 2015) – On Thursday, September 17, 2015, Orange County Sheriff’s deputies arrested Erik Virgil, 26, Torrance, in connection with a vehicle and brush fire. Virgil was observed running from the area of the fire, on a ridgeline north of Yorba Linda Boulevard, east of Casino Ridge Road on an undeveloped area of land.
At approximately 12:04 p.m., Orange County Sheriff’s deputies responded to assist the Orange County Fire Authority for reports of a brush fire on ridge adjacent to Casino Ridge Road. The Sheriff’s airship “Duke” was immediately over the location and began broadcasting information about the fire and observed Virgil running from the area. As “Duke” began to coordinate and direct ground units, it became apparent the difficulty of accessing the area by vehicle. Several minutes later the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s (LASD) airship personnel, who were monitoring radio traffic in the area, arrived and were directed into the area by “Duke.” The LASD airship landed and deployed SWAT personnel who were able to detain Virgil on the ridgeline near the fire. Continue reading