<![CDATA[arson - Law Offices of William W. Bruzzo]]> https://www.bruzzolaw.com/blog/tags/arson/ Mon, 09 Dec 2024 19:21:45 GMT en-us <![CDATA[UC Irvine Professor in Custody for Threatening to Attack Irvine High School]]> https://www.bruzzolaw.com/blog/uc-irvine-professor-in-custody-for-threatening-to-attack-irvine-high-school/ https://www.bruzzolaw.com/blog/uc-irvine-professor-in-custody-for-threatening-to-attack-irvine-high-school/ Fri, 17 Aug 2012 00:47:00 GMT A professor at UC Irvine is in custody following his arrest at a park near University High School. On July 24 a patrol officer noticed Rainer Reinscheid at the park trying to start a fire. There was extra patrolling in the area because there had been a series of fires at the park. He did post bail…

]]> A professor at UC Irvine is in custody following his arrest at a park near University High School. On July 24 a patrol officer noticed Rainer Reinscheid at the park trying to start a fire. There was extra patrolling in the area because there had been a series of fires at the park. He did post bail shortly after being arrested but officers found more information and arrested him without bail on July 27. Authorities connected him to the fires from earlier that month and came across e-mails he had written detailing how he wanted to set the school on fire, buy guns, kill students and administrators at University High, commit sexual assaults and commit suicide thereafter. The emails were addressed to himself or his wife and were found on his phone. The detailed plans were used to prove that he should be denied bail because he could be a danger to others.

The Orange County District Attorney’s Office has charged Reinscheid with five counts of arson, one count of attempted arson, and resisting or obstructing a police officer. His arraignment was postponed until August 8. The fires and plans against University High are explained as being part of Reinshcheid’s anger from his son’s suicide. His son was a student at the high school and was given trash pick duties during lunch for stealing at the student store. He apparently hanged himself at a park near the school.

Here is a video from ABCNews covering the story.

If you are having trouble viewing the video, you can see it here. Also updated related articles can be seen below.

Criminal Law Updates by the Law Offices of Orange County Criminal Defense Attorney William W. Bruzzo (714) 547-4636

]]> <![CDATA[Possible Serial Arsonist Caught in LA]]> https://www.bruzzolaw.com/blog/possible-serial-arsonist-caught-in-la/ https://www.bruzzolaw.com/blog/possible-serial-arsonist-caught-in-la/ Fri, 06 Jan 2012 01:30:00 GMT The LA Times reports that a person of interest of German nationality has been detained in connection with parking lot fires in Los Angeles. The multiple incidents have taken place in Hollywood, North Hollywood, West Hollywood and near Fairfax. There have been no injuries reported. News outlets reported on surveillance footage from a parking structure…

]]> The LA Times reports that a person of interest of German nationality has been detained in connection with parking lot fires in Los Angeles. The multiple incidents have taken place in Hollywood, North Hollywood, West Hollywood and near Fairfax. There have been no injuries reported. News outlets reported on surveillance footage from a parking structure from one of the fires. The video shows a man between 20 to 30 years old, with a receding hairline and a ponytail whom authorities are calling a person of interest. Evidence is still being collected and police are working on clues and witness information. The incidents involve car fires in parking structures and apartment building carports, making residents in the area very nervous. Police have started to maintain better lit parking areas, and observe cars for evidence of tampering. See Penal Code Sections 450, 451.

]]> <![CDATA[Arson Investigation Orange Public Library]]> https://www.bruzzolaw.com/blog/arson-investigation-orange-public-library/ https://www.bruzzolaw.com/blog/arson-investigation-orange-public-library/ Thu, 03 Dec 2009 03:50:00 GMT The week prior to Thanksgiving someone apparently intentionally set a fire in the men’s restroom of the Orange Public Library. Fortunately, no one was hurt, but the building was evacuated and the restroom sustained some minimal damage. The fire is under investigation. California Penal Code Section 451 states, “A person is guilty of arson when…

]]>
Arson Investigation

The week prior to Thanksgiving someone apparently intentionally set a fire in the men’s restroom of the Orange Public Library. Fortunately, no one was hurt, but the building was evacuated and the restroom sustained some minimal damage. The fire is under investigation.

California Penal Code Section 451 states, “A person is guilty of arson when he or she willfully and maliciously sets fire to or burns or causes to be burned or who aids, counsels, or procures the burning of, any structure, forest land, or property.”

So, to prove that someone is guilty of the crime of arson, the State must prove that (1) The defendant damaged or destroyed with fire all or part of something; And (2) The defendant acted on purpose intending to defraud, annoy, or injure someone else.

Arson includes burning someone’s clothing or trash not belonging to anyone. The punishment for arson varies depending on what damage results from the fire. The crime can be charged as a felony punishable by imprisonment in the state prison for five, seven, or nine years if great bodily injury results. Arson of property (not one’s own) is a felony punishable by imprisonment in the state prison for 16 months, two, or three years.

]]>