Spring Valley arson suspect arrested

by Miriam Raftery | May 27, 2026 1:50 am

 

East County News Service

May 26, 2026 (Spring Valley) – Sheriff’s deputies used a drone to tract down a suspect reportedly seen setting a fire that caused evacuation of homes in Spring Valley last night.

Shortly after  6:30 p.m., a Spring Valley resident called the Sheriff’s Communications Center to report seeing a man use a lighter to ignite a palm tree near the Spring Valley Swap Meet site in the 6000 block of Quarry Road.

The fire prompted deputies from the Rancho San Diego Sheriff’s Station to conduct evacuations of residents living at Spring Canyon Townhomes on Spring Canyon Drive. At the same time, deputies and officers from the California Highway Patrol (CHP) searched the surrounding area for the arson suspect.

During the search, deputies launched an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) or drone to search for the suspect in a riverbed behind Quarry Road.

“The UAV operator was able to locate the suspect and tracked him as he moved south towards the Sweetwater Dam,” says Sergeant Matthew Moser with the Rancho San Diego Sheriff’s Station.

The UAV followed the suspect until a Sheriff’s ASTREA helicopter arrived in the area. Deputies were then able to arrest the suspect near the State Route 125 and State Route 54 interchange.

The suspect was identified as Miguel Hernandez, 35. A search found him in possession of several butane torches and drug paraphernalia. He also had an outstanding felony arrest warrant for identity theft. Hernandez was booked into the San Diego Central Jail on arson and drug charges, as well as for being arrested on a felony warrant.

Thanks to the quick work of firefighting partners, including San Migue Fire & Rescue, the fire was extinguished and affected residents were allowed to return home. No structures were damaged.

Deputies from the San Diego Sheriff’s Bomb Arson Unit responded to the incident and took over the arson investigation.

The San Diego County Sheriff Office’s UAV program allows deputies to attend a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approved certification course. Once certified, UAV operators can quickly deploy UAV’s in the field to assist with searches for evidence items or suspects, as well as documenting crime scenes and assisting in search and rescue operations.

The Sheriff reminds the public: if you see something, say something. Report any suspicious activity by calling the San Diego County Sheriff’s Office at (858) 868-3200. In an emergency, immediately call 9-1-1.

Source URL: https://eastcountymagazine.org/spring-valley-arson-suspect-arrested/

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