Joseph Cardenas, 26, charged with arson of an inhabited structure in Lake Arrowhead on December 16, remains in custody on $1 million bail at the West Valley Detention Center. (File Photo)
By G. T. Houts
Lake Arrowhead, CA – Bail for the 26-year-old arson suspect Joseph Cardenas remains at $1 million following a pre-preliminary hearing at the San Bernardino Justice Center Thursday morning before Judge Richard V. Peel.
Cardenas — who is being represented by the Public Defender and remains in custody at the West Valley Detention Center — is charged with arson of an inhabited structure from an incident in Lake Arrowhead on December 16.
Court documents indicate that a preliminary hearing set for January 4 has been vacated. No additional information was immediately available.
THE INCIDENT
Twin Peaks Sheriff’s Station deputies were dispatched to the 400 block of Merrimack Drive in Lake Arrowhead at about 3:12 a.m. on December 16, regarding an arson investigation.
The unidentified victim called 9-1-1 to report a fire at his residence. The fire was extinguished by the victim when he used a garden hose located at the Lake Arrowhead address.
Cardenas’ pre-preliminary hearing was held in Department S-4 of the San Bernardino Justice Center. (Photo by ROTWNEWS.com)
The suspect, later identified as Cardenas fled the scene when he learned deputies were responding.
THE INVESTIGATION
Deputy Bullag arrived on scene and began an investigation discovering the residence was deliberately set on fire by Cardenas in multiple locations, according to a Twin Peaks press release.
Two victims were in the residence and awake when the fires were started. They were able to extinguish the flames before they spread.
ADDITIONAL INCIDENT
While Deputy Bullag was inside a bedroom speaking to a victim, Cardenas allegedly ignited another fire inside the residence using a propane tank and some paper.
The deputy noticed the smoke and reportedly saw Cardenas running away from the Merrimack Drive home. Cardenas was quickly detained by Deputy Bullag and the fire was put out by a garden hose.
San Bernardino County Fire units responded twice to the address at 3:15 a.m. and again at 5:14 a.m.
THE ARREST/ARRAIGNMENT
Cardenas was arrested and transported to the West Valley Detention Center for booking.
Bail was set at $1 million and Cardenas entered a not guilty plea during a video arraignment at 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday, December 20.
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