CalFire Tehama County - Drunk Arson suspect arrested

Fight ends in flames

By JULIE ZEEB -DN Staff Writer

PROBERTA - A 42-year old Proberta man was arrested Sunday evening after his duplex caught fire an hour after deputies responded to him making threats about burning down his house during a domestic disturbance.

Jessie Estrella called the Tehama County Sheriff's Department at 8:29 p.m. and told the operator he wanted deputies to take him somewhere because he was fighting with his girlfriend, a release said.

Estrella also told the 911 operator that he would beat up his girlfriend and burn down the house on the 9700 block of Highway 99W if deputies didn't take him somewhere, the release said.

Upon arrival, deputies found an intoxicated Estrella inside his residence and learned the girlfriend left for the evening prior to their arrival.

Estrella was given a mental evaluation, but it was determined he did not meet the criteria to be placed on a mental health hold, the release said. Estrella told deputies there would be no more problems and he wished nothing further.

At 9:49 p.m., a call reporting a structure fire at the same address came into CalFire, which sent a ladder truck, four engines and one water tender.

One side of the duplex was 50 percent engulfed when CalFire arrived on scene, said CalFire Public Information Officer Mickie Jakez.

Neighbors told deputies they believed Estrella was still inside the fully engulfed residence, but that report proved false when he walked up to the residence shouting, What happened to my house?

Estrella became upset and was placed in handcuffs and put into the back seat of a patrol car.

When Estrella's girlfriend arrived she said she had been at a friend's house when Estrella called the friend and left a message in which he said, If you're not home in half an hour, I'm going to burn this place down, the release said.

Estrella was booked into the Tehama County Jail on suspicion of arson.

His bail was set at $25,000. CalFire investigators are still investigating the incident.

Source: Daily News - Link