October 16, 2021 – Ventura County, Ca.
On the morning of Sunday, October 10, 2021, the Fillmore Fire Department responded to an alarm fire at Fillmore High School. Following closely behind the fire engines, Ventura County Sheriff’s Department deputies attached to the Fillmore Investigations Bureau and the VCSD Bomb and Arson Unit rolled onto the scene.
As soon as the conflagration was doused, an investigation into the source and cause of the fire ensued. According to VCSD spokesman Detective Shawn Pewsey, it was quickly determined that “someone had attempted to throw a bag that was on fire into an open window at the school.”
Shortly thereafter, a review of video surveillance records by the Fillmore City Fire Investigators helped Investigations Bureau deputies identify 34-year-old Fillmore resident Eric Manzano as the suspect. It took five days, but on October 15 th , deputies tracked Manzano down at his home and promptly took him into custody. He was transported to Ventura County Jail, where he was booked on charges of felony arson and parole violation, with his bail set at $60,000.
The investigation into Manzano’s recent activities continues with respect to “several other suspicious fires that occurred between September 9 th and October 2 nd in the city of Fillmore.
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