FRESNO – Investigators arrested a suspect they believe is responsible for three arson fires that happened on Tuesday in southeast Fresno.
The Fresno Fire Department had named 28-year-old Ruben George Ochoa as a suspect in the case. He was arrested Tuesday afternoon.
The first of the three fires erupted just before noon on Tuesday in an unoccupied home near Hazlewood and El Monte avenues. As firefighters were getting the fire under control, a second fire broke out at another unoccupied residence at Woodward Avenue and Third Street, only a few blocks away.
The third fire was reported soon after at Dwight and Orange avenues, which was nearby the first two fires.
Ochoa was also being sought as a suspect in connection to a fire set in a palm tree Sunday night in the 3800 block of East Dwight Avenue, which was near the three fires that took place on Tuesday.
Ochoa is a gang member and homeless, according to investigators.
Read more:
Fresno Bee: Arson suspect sought in rash of Fresno fires
Fresno Bee: Arson suspect arrested in rash of Fresno fires
