Full Notification

DATE/TIME: March 28, 2017 / 11:15 a.m.

INCIDENT: Arson / Vandalism

LOCATION: 15100 block of Mojave Drive, Victorville

SUSPECT: Joe Smith, 38-year-old Victorville resident

VICTIM: Sunset Inn

SUMMARY:
On March 28, 2017, at approximately 11:15 a.m., deputies from the Victorville Police Department responded to a call at the Sunset Inn on Mojave Drive. The caller reported smoke coming from one of the motel rooms and believed there may be someone in the room.

Sergeant Steve Pennington arrived at the location and observed smoke coming out of one of the rooms. He attempted to open the door and found that it was blocked from the inside. Pennington was able to force the door open and make entry. The mattress, along with several other items in the room, had been lit on fire and was still smoldering, causing a large amount of smoke to fill the room. On the floor of the room he located the suspect, Joe Smith, unresponsive but breathing. Deputy Rene Garcia arrived and assisted Pennington in getting Smith off of the floor and then carried him out of the room to safety. Personnel from American Medical Response (AMR) were on scene and immediately began assessing Smith. He was transported by AMR to a local hospital, where he was treated for non-life threatening injuries and subsequently released to the custody of deputies.

Smith was arrested and booked at High Desert Detention Center for Arson and Vandalism. He is scheduled to appear in Victorville Superior Court on March 30, 2017.

Anyone with information about this investigation is asked to contact the Victorville Police Department at (760) 241-2911. Callers wishing to remain anonymous are urged to call the We-Tip Hotline at 1-800-78CRIME (27463) or you may leave information on the We-Tip website at www.wetip.com.

Refer: Mara Rodriguez, Media Relations Officer

Station: Victorville Police Department

Case #: 171703724

Phone No. (760) 241-2911

JOHN MCMAHON, Sheriff-Coroner
San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner Department