WHEAT RIDGE, Colo — A man accused of intentionally setting multiple fires in recent weeks in Jefferson County now faces a felony charge related to a grass fire this week near the Clear Creek Greenbelt.
On Tuesday, Wheat Ridge officers were dispatched to the greenbelt near 4251 Kipling St. for a report of a grass fire. Officers arrived and contacted the suspect, who, according to an arrest affidavit, admitted to starting the fire with a lighter but could not say why he started it.
The fire burned an area about 20 feet by 10 feet. Witnesses said they saw the suspect "stomping" on the fire in an attempt to put it out - and when that didn't work they reported that he began hitting it with his jacket.
At the time, according to Wheat Ridge Police, winds were about 15 mph with gusts of about 25 mph. The fire was set near dry grass and vegetation and not far from homes and businesses. As a result, police took the man in custody on a felony charge of intentionally setting wildfire.
According to the affidavit, this was not the first time police encountered the suspect setting fires. The document details prior encounters on April 9, 10, and 12.
Around 5 a.m. on April 9 an officer saw smoke in the area of 4600 Kipling Street and went to investigate the source. He saw a man lying next to a fire who stated he had the fire going "for hours." According to the affidavit, the fire was "uncontained" between two trees in a grassy field.
The officer warned the man about the dangers and he responded by saying he didn't care and became "verbally aggressive" with the officer, the affidavit says. Arvada Fire crews responded to put out the fire and the man was issued a summons for municipal court.
Around 9:30 p.m. that same day, Wheat Ridge officers responded to the area of Interstate 70 and Kipling Street for a report of a grass fire. The officer spotted the suspect sitting on a strip of property adjacent to the highway. According to the affidavit, there was a pile of burning trash next to him.
The officer used a fire extinguisher to put the fire out - and the man was issued another municipal summons.
Around 11 p.m. the next day - several Arvada firefighters responded to a report of a man burning something next to a trash can near West 52nd Avenue and Kipling Street. Due to the call load, Wheat Ridge officers were unable to respond, but the affidavit notes that firefighters identified the suspect as the same man responsible for the other fires.
Around 4 a.m. on April 12, officers responded again to I-70 and Kipling Street for another fire. An officer located the suspect standing directly under a sign from CDOT that said "no trespassing."
When the man saw the officer approaching, he began kicking dirt onto the fire, the affidavit says. Arvada firefighters arrived and put the fire out. It was noted in the affidavit, that a CDOT utility box had "black burn marks" on it but appeared otherwise undamaged.
After officers responded to the fire on April 16, they conferred with the city attorney's office due to the frequency of fires being set. They requested that the previous municipal summons be canceled and refiled in county court.
As a result the man now faces the following charges:
- One count intentionally setting wildfire
- Three counts of fourth-degree arson
- One count third-degree criminal trespass
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