By Jon Chown
PHOTO: Emergency responders are on the scene on Aug. 19.
SCOTTS VALLEY — A suspect has been arrested after admitting to intentionally setting several small fires on a hillside near Green Hills Road, according to a joint news release from the Scotts Valley Police Department and Cal Fire.
The name of the suspect was not released, at the request of Cal Fire, according to Lt. Meredith Roberts of the Scotts Valley Police Department.
On Aug. 19, firefighters were dispatched at about 12:50 p.m. to a reported vegetation fire near the 2300 block of Green Hills Road. Crews extinguished multiple small fires burning on the hillside above the road. About one-quarter of an acre was burned. No structures were damaged and no injuries were reported.
A joint investigation by Cal Fire and Scotts Valley police determined that the fires had been intentionally set, authorities said. According to Lt. Roberts, multiple witnesses came to the police to report that an adult male was living in a tent near where the fire started. Police obtained a search warrant and visited the camp and arrested the man.
Investigators from the Police Department and Cal Fire interviewed the suspect, who admitted to intentionally setting the fires, according to the release. Authorities did not release the person’s name or provide information about the suspected motive or possible charges. The case has been forwarded to the Santa Cruz County Superior Court.
Responding agencies included Cal Fire, the Scotts Valley Fire Protection District, Santa Cruz County Fire, the Felton Fire Protection District, the Santa Cruz Fire Department and the Central Fire District of Santa Cruz County.
“We are grateful for the collaboration with outside agencies on this one,” said Lt. Roberts. “We’ve seen what can happen, with the CZU Fire, if a fire spreads.”
Traffic Stop on Highway 17 Leads to Arrest
Illegal firearms recovered during a traffic stop Aug. 14 on Highway 17.
On Aug. 14 a California Highway Patrol unit assigned to a specialized Highway 17 enforcement detail conducted a traffic stop.
The driver, a Watsonville man in his 30s, was arrested for driving under the influence.
During the arrest, officers located two firearms in the vehicle, one of which was a “ghost gun”—an unserialized firearm.
Former Teacher Charged with Sex Crimes
A former Monte Vista Christian School teacher has been arrested on charges involving lewd or lascivious acts with a child aged 14 or 15. In April, deputies received a report regarding an incident involving 28-year-old Jacob Lee that allegedly occurred in 2022.
Detectives with the Sex Crimes Unit conducted an investigation and on Aug. 14, Sheriff’s Office detectives traveled to Suffolk County, New York, to facilitate the arrest. Lee is being charged with multiple counts.
“When someone entrusted with educating and mentoring young people is accused of committing crimes against them, it is an especially serious betrayal of that trust,” said Sheriff Chris Clark. “Let me be clear that there is no place to hide from accountability. Moving across the country does not make those allegations disappear. Our detectives remained committed to this investigation and worked to locate the suspect in New York and he will be brought back to face the justice system. We will never stop pursuing those who prey on our children. No matter where you go, we will find you.”
The sheriff’s department believes that with Lee being a teacher at the time of the incident and his involvement in the church community, there may be additional victims.
The department thanked Monte Vista Christian School for its complete cooperation throughout the investigation. Monte Vista Christian did not respond to requests for comment.
The investigation remains active and ongoing. If you have any information, you are urged to contact Detective Munoz at 831-454-7646.