Crime & Safety

Arson Suspect Arrested By Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office

At least five suspicious fires near Felton are under investigation. Detectives are seeking tips from the public.

Tanya A. Posey, 39, was arrested Sunday.
Tanya A. Posey, 39, was arrested Sunday. (Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office)

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY, CA — The Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office has arrested an arson suspect in the wake of more than five suspicious fires reported in the Felton area this year.

Tanya A. Posey, 39, was arrested on suspicion of a felony arson charge around 7 p.m. Sunday, the sheriff's office said in a news release Wednesday. She remained in Santa Cruz County Jail Wednesday in lieu of $50,000 bond, jail records show.

Deputies believe she is responsible for a Jan. 19 fire in the 300 block of Felton Empire Road. The other fires remain under investigation.

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Prior to her arrest, law enforcement spoke with Posey after an arson in the area of Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, the sheriff's office said.

The sheriff's office is asking the public to come forward if they have any information about the cases or have heard Posey discuss starting fires. Detective Simpson can be reached at 831-454-7640 and Detective Pruger can be reached at 831-454-7096.

Find out what's happening in Santa Cruzfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

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