Man Who Reported, Fought Fires Is Charged With Arson
John Tyler Connelly reported fires to the Simi Valley Fire Department and sometimes was on the scene fighting the flames when firefighters arrived, authorities say. Since May, 1988, Connelly reported at least 13 fires that resulted in more than $500,000 damage, Simi Valley Police said Thursday.
That was why a Simi Valley detective and a Ventura County arson investigator located Connelly, but it was not to award him for his diligence.
Connelly, 22, was arrested and charged with 13 counts of arson and one count of burglary, said Lt. Jon Ainsworth of the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department.
Ainsworth said the arrest Monday was the result of an investigation over the last several months by Simi Valley detectives and county arson investigators.
Connelly allegedly set fires at several carports of the Simi Valley Garden Apartments in which automobiles were damaged, according to the police report. He also allegedly set fires that caused structural damage at three Simi Valley businesses--Tri-Valley Rentals, Holmes Art Center and Preferred Glass.
Connelly was also charged with stealing $80 from Holmes Art Center before a fire erupted there.
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