2 SUSPECTS HELD AFTER T.O. FIRES : ARRESTS FIRST IN WAKE OF ARSON SPREE.Byline: Michael Coit Daily News Staff Writer An investigation of small fires in the Conejo Valley The Conejo Valley is a region spanning both Southeastern Ventura County and Northwest Los Angeles County in Southern California, United States. It was discovered in 1542 by Spanish explorer Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo, and eventually became part of the Rancho El Conejo land grant by produced its first arrests Tuesday when sheriff's deputies arrested two men on suspicion of arson arson, at common law, the malicious and willful burning of the house of another. Originally, it was an offense against the security of habitation rather than against property rights. shortly after four blazes damaged three trucks and a trailer. Ventura County sheriff's and fire officials said the fires are similar to more than 40 set deliberately in Dumpsters, vehicles and buildings since 1992. Each fire was started with paper. Sheriff's deputies arrested Craig Barnikel, 18, of Newbury Park and Drew Fallon, 23, of Thousand Oaks Thousand Oaks, residential city (1990 pop. 104,352), Ventura co., S Calif., in a farm area; inc. 1964. Avocados, citrus, vegetables, strawberries, and nursery products are grown. after fire crews were called to the vehicle fires on Rancho ran·cho n. pl. ran·chos Southwestern U.S. 1. A hut or group of huts for housing ranch workers. 2. A ranch. Conejo Boulevard about 4:30 a.m. Tuesday. Both men were in custody at the county jail Wednesday, each with bail set at $250,000. The two men were arrested on suspicion of starting fires in two pickup Pickup A gain in yield made by selling one bond and buying another. Also referred to as "yield pickup." Notes: When the present yield is relatively low compared to the longer-term yields, pickups will be done by investors trying to increase the yield and duration of their trucks, a catering truck and a motorcycle trailer Motorcycle trailer is a term used to describe a trailer used either to carry motorcycles or to be pulled behind a motorcycle in order to carry additional gear. For carrying motorcycles Motorcycle carrying trailers may be open or enclosed. parked behind buildings in the 1100 block of the industrial area. They also were arrested on suspicion of breaking into the catering truck and taking undisclosed property. Authorities are investigating whether the two men can be linked to any of the other fires. ``We have fires back to 1992 that have a similar nature,'' said Battalion battalion Tactical military organization composed of a headquarters and two or more companies, batteries, or similar units and usually commanded by a field-grade officer such as a lieutenant colonel. Chief Kevin Nestor, who directs arson investigations for the county Fire Department. ``Once we have a rash or trend like this, then we go into a cooperative effort'' with sheriff's investigators. The joint investigation began after a half-dozen small fires were set deliberately in the Thousand Oaks area between mid-December and mid-January. ``It was a high priority. We had been noticing fires and they started to get more consistent, so we started doing some surveillances and looking at people we thought might be starting the fires,'' explained Senior Deputy Jeff Allarie, who led the county Sheriff's Department's effort. Tuesday's fires in the industrial park were reported in a 911 emergency call. Firefighters who responded noted the similarities between the vehicle fires and the previous cases of arson and alerted sheriff's officials. Patrol units stopped people who didn't seem to belong in the industrial area. The two men were arrested as they were leaving the area in a vehicle, officials said. |
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