HEMET – Suspected arsonist arrested after setting fire to himself, mobile home

HEMET – A man suspected of using a “Molotov Cocktail” to set fire to the front porch of a mobile home in the 1100 block of north Kirby Street was arrested after he inadvertently set fire to his own arm and clothing Monday, Nov. 14.

The man, who was later identified as Raymond John Morrison, 37, of Apple Valley, was located and arrested in the 29000 block of Haun Rd. in Menifee, according to Hemet Police Lieutenant Eddie Pust. Officers found Morrison hiding near a medical clinic with severe burns to his left arm. The hair on his upper body, face and head was also singed.

Pust explained, “It appeared that Morrison had provided first aid to himself with gauze and masking tape.”

Officers arrested Morrison for the arson and transported him to a local hospital for treatment of the burns he received. He was later transported and booked at Riverside County Jail.

Hemet Police emergency dispatchers received a 911 call about 6:02 a.m., regarding a fire on a front porch of a mobile home.

The caller advised they saw a shirtless male running from the area. Dispatchers quickly received a second call from the residence where the fire was burning, advising someone threw a “Molotov Cocktail” at the home, igniting the fire.

Hemet Fire Department arrived on scene a few minutes after the call was dispatched and they were able to quickly extinguish the porch fire.

After firefighters brought the porch fire under control, a sweatshirt was found near the scene. The sweatshirt “appeared to have caught on fire and was left behind by the male subject who was seen running from the location with no shirt,” Pust said.

Hemet police detectives responded to investigate several leads regarding the man suspected of setting the arson fire.

Based on investigative leads officials determined Morrison, who had a past domestic relationship with a resident at the home, was believed to have set the fire. Within five hours, police officials located Morrison with severe injuries he had sustained while setting the fire.

A jail record search revealed Morrison was booked on suspicion of possession of an explosive device, two counts of arson causing great bodily injury, and attempted murder. He is being held without bail and is scheduled to be arraigned at the Southwest Justice Center in Murrieta Nov. 16.

Anyone with information about this investigation or who saw the arson fire being set is encouraged to contact Hemet police officials at (951) 765-2400. Callers can refer to incident file number 16-10520 and can remain anonymous.

 

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Trevor Montgomery spent 10 years in the U.S. Army as an Orthopedic Specialist before joining the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department in 1998. He was medically retired after losing his leg in an off-duty accident.

During his time with the sheriff’s department, Trevor worked at several different stations, including the Robert Presley Detention Center, the Southwest Station in Temecula, the Hemet Station, and the Lake Elsinore Station, along with many other locations.

Trevor’s assignments included Corrections, Patrol, DUI Enforcement, Boat and Personal Water-Craft based Lake Patrol, Off-Road Vehicle Enforcement, Problem Oriented Policing Team, Personnel and Background Investigations and he finished his career while working as a Sex Crimes and Child Abuse Investigator.

Trevor has been married for more than 26 years and was a foster parent to more than 60 children over 13 years. He is now an adoptive parent and has 13 children and 12 – soon to be 13 – grandchildren.