Suspect Alex Espinoza Arrested on Arson Charges in Dana Point; Caught Holding Lighter in Hand

Suspect Alex Espinoza

DANA POINT, Calif. – (August 31, 2014) – On Sunday, August 31, 2014 at approximately 3:45 a.m., Orange County Sheriff’s deputies responded to sounds of breaking glass and a suspicious subject at the Dana P

Location of Laguna Niguel, California within Orange County, California. Created with data from the U.S. Census Bureau. Category:California city locator maps (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

oint Arts Plaza building in the 34100 block of Pacific Coast Highway, Dana Point. Deputies arrived and located Alex Espinoza, 27, Laguna Niguel, inside the building. Espinoza was holding a lighter and the building was on fire.

Orange County Fire Authority firefighters dispatched a 2-alarm response and extinguished the fire. It took 50 firefighters approximately 30 minutes to extinguish the fire that caused approximately $400,000 in damage. There were no injuries as a result of the fire.

After conducting a scene evaluation and witness interviews, Orange County Fire Authority fire investigators are considering this fire as intentionally set. No further details are available; however, the investigation is still ongoing.

Espinoza was arrested and booked into Orange County jail on charges of arson and burglary. He is being held on $50K bail and is scheduled to be appear in court on Wednesday, September 3, 2014.

Anyone with additional information is asked to call the County Sheriff’s Department or Orange County Fire Authority at (714) 647-7000. Anonymous tips may also be submitted to Orange County Crime Stoppers at 855-TIP-OCCS (855-847-6227) or at occrimestoppers.org.