Between May 19, 2023 and May 23, 2023, there were multiple incidents of vandalism and/or arson to James A. Forrest Elementary, Thomas Jefferson Middle School, Wasco Union High School, and in the 300 Block of Leonard Avenue, which caused in excess of hundreds of thousands of dollars of total damage. During the investigation of these incidents, Deputies from the Kern County Sheriff’s Office Wasco Substation identified 25-year-old LUIS VILLAREAL as a person of interest in all of these incidents.
On Wednesday May 24, 2023, at approximately 3:00 a.m., deputies from the Kern County Sheriff's Office Wasco Substation arrested and booked LUIS VILLAREAL into the Kern County Jail for his active misdemeanor warrant, as well as possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of illegal narcotics.
Upon a further joint investigation with the Kern County Fire Department Arson Unit, VILLAREAL was additionally charged with multiple counts of vandalism and arson. VILLAREAL is also pending additional charges from the Kern County Fire Department in relation to the arsons at Wasco Union High School and 300 Block of Leonard Avenue.
Anyone with information regarding these investigations is encouraged to contact the Kern County Sheriff’s Office at (661) 861-3110 or Secret Witness at (661) 322-4040.
