Convicted arsonist arrested again for setting Anderson fires
ANDERSON, Calif. — Already on probation for a prior arson conviction, a knife-wielding and wanted felon was arrested for arson again after he was seen starting fires in a gully near the Tractor Supply business in the 1900 block of Marx Way in Anderson yesterday morning, Sunday, Feb. 28.
The fires that led to the man’s arrest were reported within minutes of another arson fire, with gunfire heard coming from inside a burning residence, was reported in east Redding. That incident, which included the use of Redding PD’s recently purchased armored rescue vehicle, led to the arrest of a 33-year-old Redding woman.
LEADING THE SCNS HEADLINES:
Shots fired at Redding arson fire hamper rescue efforts – Woman arrested
UPDATE: More details released after teen rescued during Anderson human trafficking operation
Redding traffic stop leads to fentanyl, heroin, meth seizure – Felon arrested
“Significant” amount of fentanyl seized in Redding trafficking investigation
City of Anderson Police and Fire personnel responded to the scene around 7:53 a.m., after SHASCOM emergency dispatchers received the report of a man setting fires near the Tractor Supply business.
The 911 caller reported that the man appeared agitated and was armed with a knife while starting the fires, according to Anderson PD officials.
A convicted and wanted arsonist, Christopher Kelly, of Anderson, can be seen being handcuffed when he was arrested at the scene of a small arson fire. Anderson PD photo (L).
When officials arrived they located 26-year-old, Christopher Kelly, of Anderson, beside a burning pile of “miscellaneous items”, according to APD; who later reported that Kelly complied with officers’ commands and was detained without incident.
A subsequent records check revealed Kelly was on felony probation for a prior arson conviction from April of last year.
Kelly was also found to have two active warrants for his arrest, including one for battery and another for possession of drug paraphernalia, both misdemeanors. He was arrested and later booked into Shasta County Jail in Redding for those warrants.
Additionally, based on their investigation, Anderson Fire Prevention Officers will be submitting a new criminal case against Kelly for arson.
SEE RELATED: Shots fired at Redding arson fire hamper rescue efforts – Woman arrested
Online jail records indicate Kelly remains in custody in lieu of $2,000 bail or bond.
This article sponsored by:
For all the latest, often up to the minute coverage of Shasta County crimes, accidents, incidents and emergencies, along with traffic, travel, and weather alerts, community awareness posts, news articles and so much more, visit Redding Crime and Community Alert Shasta County on Facebook.
With breaking news articles, videos, podcasts, opinion pieces and more, Law Enforcement News Network has all the latest news and information related to law enforcement issues across the nation.
Contact the writer: [email protected]
Trevor Montgomery, 49, moved in 2017 to the Intermountain area of Shasta County from Riverside County and runs Riverside County News Source (RCNS) and Shasta County News Source (SCNS).
Additionally, he writes or has written for several other news organizations; including Riverside County-based newspapers Valley News, Valley Chronicle, Anza Valley Outlook, and Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle; the Bonsall/Fallbrook Village News in San Diego County; and Mountain Echo in Shasta County. He is also a regular contributor to Thin Blue Line TV and Law Enforcement News Network and has had his stories featured on news stations throughout the Southern California and North State regions.
Trevor 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, breaking his back, and suffering both spinal cord and brain injuries in an off-duty accident. (Click here to see segment of Discovery Channel documentary of Trevor’s accident.)
During his time with the sheriff’s department, Trevor worked at several different stations; including Robert Presley Detention Center, Southwest Station in Temecula, Hemet/Valle Vista Station, Ben Clark Public Safety Training Center, and Lake Elsinore Station; along with 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, and Personnel/Background Investigations. He finished his career while working as a Sex Crimes and Child Abuse Investigator and was a court-designated expert in child abuse and child sex-related crimes.
Trevor has been married for more than 30 years and was a foster parent to more than 60 children over 13 years. He is now an adoptive parent and his “fluid family” includes 13 children and 18 grandchildren.
Pingback: Shots fired at Redding arson fire hamper rescue efforts – Woman arrested – Riverside County News Source