Santa Cruz County Fire Make Arrest for Arson in Harkins Slough Area

FELTON – CAL FIRE / Santa Cruz County Fire Law Enforcement officers, in conjunction with the Santa Cruz County District Attorney’s office completed a 3 month investigation and arrested Jose Luis Sanchez, 52, a Santa Cruz County resident near Watsonville this morning. CAL FIRE in its investigation alleges that over 50 separate vegetation fires were started by Sanchez in the Harkins Slough area in an unincorporated part of Santa Cruz County.

Santa Cruz County Fire serves the unincorporated portions of Santa Cruz County outside of the local fire districts. CAL FIRE operates Santa Cruz County Fire under a contract with Santa Cruz County.

CAL FIRE asks that local residents remain vigilant in reporting Wildland fires by calling 911. If you have information about an arson related fire you may also call the Arson Tip line at: 1-800-468-4408 to leave an anonymous message.

Any questions about the disposition of this case should be referred to the Santa Cruz County District Attorney’s Office.