2 Held in Connection With Fire at Former Car Dealership
Two men are being held on suspicion of setting fire to an abandoned auto dealership to cover up evidence of a burglary, authorities said Tuesday.
Steven M. Comstock, 18, and Doyle E. Fewell, 35, both believed to be transients, were arrested Saturday in connection with the fire at the former showroom of McLean Cadillac dealership in the 200 block of North Main Street, fire officials said.
Santa Ana Fire Department spokesman Karl Ellman said the suspects started the fire late Friday night to “cover up evidence of another crime.” He declined to elaborate.
Sheriff’s officials said Comstock and Fewell were being held on suspicion of burglary and arson at Orange County Jail. Their bails were $10,000 and $11,404 respectively. Fewell was also being held on several municipal code warrants.
The fire caused an estimated $600,000 damage and took about 40 firefighters more than two hours to contain.
The showroom building, which contained offices and once held half a dozen or more Cadillacs at a time, is owned by the city of Santa Ana and is part of a redevelopment district.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
