Menifee Arson Suspect Caught, Fire Department Says

MENIFEE, CA — A man accused of intentionally setting a fire in Menifee was arrested recently, the Riverside County Fire Department announced this week. Charles Martinez, 23, is accused of lighting a fire in a storm drain on Sept. 6.

Fire officials say the incident happened in the 30000 block of Antelope Road. Several people called to report smoke in the area.

"The first arriving engine company discovered a debris fire inside of a City owned storm drain tunnel," the agency said in a news release. "CAL FIRE PeaceOfficers responded to the location and subsequently arrested Charles Ivan Martinez."

Martinez was booked into the French Valley jail on suspicion of arson and violating a state of emergency, due to the current drought conditions in California, according to Cal Fire.

Jail booking records indicate Martinez has been arrested at least two other times on misdemeanor charges in the same area since July.