Photo: Jeffrey L. Wells
FREMONT — Life is tough for 58-year-old Jeffrey L. Wells. Besides being homeless, Wells has been arrested 13 times, mostly for drugs and violence. His latest arrest was for arson, but he was released from jail and he is back on the streets again.
A massive search was launched earlier this month to locate Wells. Police deployed a drone and searched places frequented by homeless persons for several days. However, it was a patrol officer who located and arrested him on July 9th.
Wells was wanted in connection with arson and corporal injury. The fire occurred on June 30th, near Overacker Avenue south of Mowry Avenue in an open field.
Wells was accused of beating his homeless girlfriend and setting fire to the tent they shared. All their property was destroyed. The fire also spread, threatening nearby homes, resulting in evacuations.
A joint inquiry was conducted by Fremont police detectives and fire department investigators. Based on the information and evidence gathered from the fire scene, Wells was identified as the suspect.
Investigating officers believed Wells battered his girlfriend and threatened to kill her. Wells allegedly told her that he would set fire to the encampment that they shared.
Therefore, Wells was arrested on suspicion of arson, inflicting corporal injury, making criminal threats, and probation violation.
Well has a lengthy rap sheet with his 12 prior arrests. Moreover, Wells was already on probation for prior convictions for assault, corporal injury and drug possession.
However, Wells is presently no longer in custody. His latest run-in with the law was dismissed on July 11th, because no complaining witness appeared in court.
