Man Accused Of Setting Trash Can On Fire At East County Walmart

SANTEE, CA — A man was accused of setting fire to the contents of a trash can just outside the parking lot of a Walmart in eastern San Diego County, authorities said.

The fire was reported at 6:32 p.m. Saturday near Walmart at 170 Town Center Parkway in Santee, according to the San Diego County Sheriff's Office.

"As deputies were driving to the location, a second witness called sheriff's dispatch and reported they watched a male set fire to the contents of a trash can just outside the Walmart parking lot," sheriff's Lt. Thomas Fletcher said.

Deputies arrived at the scene and detained 30-year-old Ryan Crist, while firefighters extinguished the fire inside the trash can, Fletcher said. There was no serious property damage at the scene other than the scorching of the trash can.

Crist was positively identified by witnesses and was arrested and booked into San Diego Central Jail on suspicion of arson.

Anyone with any information about the case was asked to contact the Santee Sheriff's Station at 619-956-4000.