Photo: Stock Image
Originally Published By: Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office
“On 02-17-2023 at approximately 10:58 p.m., Mendocino County Sheriff’s Deputies were dispatched to an alarm call at G&C Auto Body located at 51 Kunzler Ranch Road in Ukiah, California.
Shortly after, the alarm company called into the business and a male subject answered the phone stating he needed help.
When Deputies arrived, they observed apparent evidence that someone had broken into the business. Deputies looked inside the business and observe at least five separate small fires inside.
Deputies also observed a male subject later identified as Benjamin Dimmick standing inside the business next to the fires, attempting to light another fire.
Dimmick had barricaded some of the doors and refused to come to the front door when verbally asked to do so. Dimmick had locked himself inside the business and was refusing all verbal requests to comply.
Deputies without hesitation had to force their way into the burning building while trying to apprehend Dimmick.
Dimmick was ultimately taken into custody and pulled out of the burning building which quickly filled with heavy smoke as the fire began to spread.
Deputies deployed their fire extinguishers in an attempt to extinguish the fire until Ukiah Valley Fire Personnel arrived on scene for further suppression efforts.
While on scene Deputies learned Dimmick had just been involved in a nearby hit and run incident which was currently being investigated by the California Highway Patrol (Ukiah Office).
An arson investigator from the Ukiah Valley Fire Authority arrived on scene and assisted with further scene investigations.
During the investigations, Dimmick was placed under arrest for five counts of 451(C) PC [Felony Arson] and 460(B) PC [Burglary].
Dimmick was subsequently booked into the Mendocino County Jail where he was to be held in lieu of $25,000.00 bail.”
