Crime & Safety
Woman Suspected Of Torching Palm Desert Strip Mall
Natalie Marie Radu, 30, is suspected of starting the fire that destroyed four businesses in the Plaza de Monterey Shopping Center.
PALM DESERT, CA — Felony charges may be filed Wednesday against a 30-year-old transient suspected of igniting a fire that destroyed four businesses in a Palm Desert strip mall.
Natalie Marie Radu was arrested and booked into the Smith Correctional Facility in Banning Sunday on suspicion of recklessly causing a fire that resulted in property damage and arson in an area under a state emergency.
Radu is being held in lieu of $100,000 bail.
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Her case was expected to be submitted to the Riverside County District Attorney's Office for review Tuesday. The suspect's speedy arraignment window closes Wednesday afternoon.
The Plaza de Monterey Shopping Center near the intersection of Country Club Drive and Monterey Avenue sustained massive damage in the blaze that erupted shortly before 4 a.m. Sunday.
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According to county fire officials, multiple engine crews were sent to the two-alarm blaze and encountered flames raging in one business, spreading rapidly to three neighboring ones in the same 30,000-square-foot single-story building.
Along with county fire personnel, firefighters from the Cathedral City and Palm Springs fire departments joined in the containment effort. However, the flames ultimately ravaged Coffee D'Bouteaque, Miracle Ear Hearing-Aid Center, Papa Dan's Pizza and Reverse Mortgage Works, according to published reports.
A sheriff's deputy who was assisting at the scene suffered unspecified minor injuries, but no firefighter or civilian injuries were reported.
The fire was completely contained at 9:54 a.m., according to officials.
Deputies detained Radu at the scene, but there was no word regarding how she was identified as the alleged perpetrator.
Cal Fire law enforcement officers conducted an investigation and determined the blaze was "recklessly caused," according to the agency. No other details were provided.
Radu was arrested without incident.
Background information on her was unavailable.
The state of emergency connected with the allegations refers to the Tropical Storm Hilary proclamation issued by the governor in August 2023. The impacts were significant in some parts of the Coachella Valley.
