The following is a press released issued by the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office. The information has not been proven in a court of law and any individuals described should be presumed innocent until proven guilty:
On 03-13-2021 at approximately 9:11 P.M. Deputies from the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to the 4800 block of North State Street in Ukiah, California.
Deputies were advised of a suspicious male subject in the area who was possibly intoxicated and acting strange.
A Deputy arrived and did not immediately observe anyone in the area matching the provided description.
As the Deputy left the area, Dispatch informed him that the reporting person had called back, and advised the subject had just lit a fire inside of a residence.
The Deputy returned to the location and observed a large column of smoke coming from a single family dwelling. The Deputy contacted the reporting person, who was attempting to stop the male subject from leaving the area.
The male subject was identified as Pedro Reynaga.
Reynaga was observed to be exhibiting signs and symptoms of being under the influence of a central nervous system stimulant and also had a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage on his breath and person.
The Deputy obtained information indicating that the fire was intentionally set inside of the residence by Reynaga. Reynaga lived in the residence with his mother, and the Deputy was unable to determine whether or not Reynaga’s mother was currently inside of the residence.
The Deputy forced open the front door in an attempt to check if anyone else was inside of the residence. Due to intense heat and smoke inside of the residence, the Deputy was unable to make entry.
Reynaga’s mother later arrived at the residence unharmed.
A Fire Investigator with the Ukiah Valley Fire Authority conducted an investigation and confirmed this fire to have been caused by arson.
Reynaga was placed under arrest for 451(B) PC [Felony Arson]. Reynaga was subsequently booked into the Mendocino County Jail where he was to be held in lieu of $100,000.00 bail.
