Serial arson suspect arrested in El Dorado County
Submitted by paula on Sat, 10/28/2023 - 3:10pm
suspicion of arson and starting fires at the following locations:
• A structure fire on September 13, 2023, at 2:33 a.m. at the Taco Bell Building at 6454 Pony Express Trail in Pollock Pines.
• A vegetation fire on September 13, 2023, at 9:48 p.m. behind the Family Dollar Store at 6524 Pony Express Trail in Pollock Pines.
• A vegetation fire on September 14, 2023, at 5:18 a.m. behind CVS Drugs at 6450 Pony Express Trail in Pollock Pines.
• A vegetation fire on October 21, 2023, at 4:00 a.m. in the area of Meadow View Road and Shenandoah Road in River Pines.
• A vegetation fire (the Ore Fire) on October 23, 2023, at 3:39 p.m. in the area of Highway 49 and Ore Court in Logtown.
EL DORADO COUNTY, Calif. - Deputies from the El Dorado County Sheriff's Office (EDSO) arrested a 27-year-old man this week on suspicion of starting multiple fires in both El Dorado and Amador counties.
On October 23, 2023, EDSO arrested Steven Saunders for a CAL FIRE-related warrant in El Dorado County for three fires that occurred in Pollock Pines in mid-September. Since the individual was taken into custody, he has been charged with two additional fires, totaling five fires between El Dorado and Amador counties.
With assistance from CAL FIRE Law Enforcement Officers, EDSO, the El Dorado County District Attorney’s Office, and the El Dorado County Fire Protection
suspicion of arson and starting fires at the following locations:
• A structure fire on September 13, 2023, at 2:33 a.m. at the Taco Bell Building at 6454 Pony Express Trail in Pollock Pines.
• A vegetation fire on September 13, 2023, at 9:48 p.m. behind the Family Dollar Store at 6524 Pony Express Trail in Pollock Pines.
• A vegetation fire on September 14, 2023, at 5:18 a.m. behind CVS Drugs at 6450 Pony Express Trail in Pollock Pines.
• A vegetation fire on October 21, 2023, at 4:00 a.m. in the area of Meadow View Road and Shenandoah Road in River Pines.
• A vegetation fire (the Ore Fire) on October 23, 2023, at 3:39 p.m. in the area of Highway 49 and Ore Court in Logtown.
Saunders is currently in the El Dorado County Jail in Placerville on a $330,000 bail hold with the following charges:
1 count of 451(C) PC- Arson: structure/forest land (F) [Felony]
1 count of 148(A)(1) PC- Obstruct/resist/etc public/peace officer/emergency med tech - Simple (M) [Misdemeanor] Bail: $10000
9 counts of 530.5(C)(1) PC- Possess personal identifying info with intent to defraud - Identity theft (M) [Felony] Bail: $20000
3 counts of 451(C) PC- Arson: structure/forest land (F) [Felony] Bail: $300000
Through evidence obtained at the fire scenes, all fires were determined to be arson.
CAL FIRE Law Enforcement Officers work diligently to investigate all fires and apprehend those suspected of starting fires. From January 1, 2023, through September 30, 2023, CAL FIRE Law Enforcement Officers have made 88 arson arrests.
CAL FIRE urges the public to be vigilant in their preparedness and aware of suspicious activity.
To report suspicious fire activity please call the Arson Tip Line at 1-800-468-4408