VENTURA –  When Ventura City firefighters, police officers, and California State Parks Peace Officers responded to a fire near the Ventura River Bottom September 24, 2016, witnesses quickly reported seeing a man lighting small  near the entrance to a group camp area.  The suspect was seen leaving the area on foot and walking onto the northbound lanes of Highway 101. State Parks Peace Officers James Bray and Josh Pace, along with Ventura police, responded and detained Timothy Bowman, 55,  as he attempted to flee.

Upon further investigation officers and fire investigators determined that Bowman was allegedly involved in setting several small fires in the area.  The fires were all contained, the largest reached a 1/4 acre in size and Bowman was arrested for arson.

“We are still very much in a very dangerous fire season,” said California Statewide Law Enforcement Association (CSLEA) President Alan Barcelona.  “CSLEA members Bray and Pace took action to detain the suspect while investigators put all the pieces together that warranted an arrest.  Our park rangers and peace officer lifeguards are on constant watch for fire related activity.”