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Incident:  Arson - Possession of Stolen Property - Petty Theft - Possession of Methamphetamine

Contact:   Police Watch Commander: 805-339-4416, Fire Battalion Chief: 805-641-9017

Location:  Johnson/Ralston and 1500 Block of Towhee Ct.

Date/Time Occurred: January 14, 2011, 3:53 a.m. and 4:55 a.m.

Officer(s) Involved:  Patrol Officers and Ventura City Fire Dept.

Suspect(s):  Robert Harrison, 19 yrs, Ventura Resident

 Report #: 12-483

Narrative:

On 1-14-12 at about 0353 hours, three Ventura City Fire units responded to the area of Johnson Dr. and Ralston St. regarding a vehicle fire. Fire personnel were able to quickly extinguish the fire and contain it to just one vehicle. During this fire, several police units were also dispatched for traffic control.

Approximately an hour later, while Fire and Police personnel were still on scene, a second structure fire was reported in the 1500 block of Towhee Ct. Six additional Fire units were dispatched to this structure fire. This fire started in a trashcan near the gas and electric meters, and as a result, caught a gas line on fire, which caused the fire to spread into the adjacent garage. Fire personnel were able to contain this fire to the garage, saving the residence and other surrounding condominiums.

While Fire and Police personnel were still on scene working the fires, officers saw a vehicle driving on the greenbelt area between front doors of some of the condos and a chain link fence separating the condo complex from an adjacent nursery. The vehicle was traveling at a high rate of speed and with no headlights.

Officers ultimately caught up to and initiated a traffic stop of this car. They contacted the driver, Robert Harrison, and determined he had an outstanding Felony warrant for violating his probation. Officers took Harrison into custody without incident. During the course of their investigation, Officers found stolen property from at least two different vehicles belonging to residents in the condo complex where the two fires occurred.

Fire Investigators believe both fires were intentionally set. Officers were able to determine Harrison was responsible for both fires and at least two thefts from parked vehicles. Harrison was also in possession of methamphetamine.

Harrison was booked at Ventura County Jail for two counts of Arson, Possession of Stolen Property, and Possession of a Controlled Substance.