Full Notification

DATE/TIME: January 15, 2018                                             
 
INCIDENT: PC 451.5(a) Aggravated Arson
                       
LOCATION: Glen Helen Regional Park, Devore                  
 
SUSPECT(S): Ricky Russel Whipple, 29 years old, resident of Fontana
                                   
SUMMARY:
 
On January 15, 2018, at approximately 7:44 am, deputies from the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Central Station responded to a fire call at Glen Helen Regional Park. While in route to the call, deputies learned that additional fires were being reported near the regional park at the Interstate 15/215 junction.  In total, eleven fires were started by Whipple.
 
After each fire was started, Whipple ran through a series a storm drain tunnels underneath the freeways to elude capture from the deputies. With the assistance of Sheriff’s aviation, Whipple was located as he walked through the dense brush near Cajon Blvd and Kenwood Ave in close proximity of the last fire.  
 
Deputies contacted Whipple, who was detained at the scene without incident. Several items of evidence were located which connected Whipple to the crime of arson. The areas Whipple set on fire burned dry vegetation and caused a multi-jurisdictional response from fire crews with the San Bernardino County Fire Department, Cal Fire, and the United States Forest Service. All the fires were contained and extinguished. However, fire crews spent several hours cooling down hot spots to prevent additional fire damage.
 
Whipple was booked into the Central Detention Center for aggravated arson and is being held on $250,000.00 bail.  Whipple is scheduled for court on January 17^th.   
 
Anyone with information regarding this incident is urged to contact Central Station at (909)387-3545. Callers wishing to remain anonymous are urged to call We-Tip Hotline at 1-800-78-CRIME(27463), or you may leave information on the website at www.wetip.com                     
 
Refer:  Deputy Joshua Gile
            Deputy Renee Olivares
            Deputy Danielle Bracamontes.
                       
 
Station: Central Patrol
                       
Case #: 011800144
                       
Phone No. (909) 387-3545
                       
JOHN MCMAHON, Sheriff-Coroner
San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner Department