Oroville – On October 1, 2019 at approximately 7:00 am, CAL FIRE Law Enforcement Officers arrested Jeremy Gendreau, age 35, of Oroville, for allegedly committing multiple counts of arson to forest land during a proclaimed State of Emergency*. Gendreau was booked into Butte County Jail and is being held on 1.95 million dollar bail. Gendreau is suspected of lighting multiple wildland fires in the Oroville area during the month of September 2019. Investigation of Gendreau began after a tip to the CAL FIRE Arson Hotline. Investigators apprehended the suspect while he was travelling to work. Butte County Districts Attorney’s Office, California State Parks, and Oroville Police Department all assisted CAL FIRE in the investigation.
Butte Unit Chief David Hawks said, “We will not tolerate arson of any type and will track down those suspected of causing harm to our communities.”
Residents should be vigilant in their preparedness and aware of suspicious persons when a fire does start. Suspicious activity should be reported including the time, individual’s physical description, and a vehicle description, including the license plate number. Always contact law enforcement, never approach a suspicious person. Anyone with information about arson is urged to contact the CAL FIRE Arson Hotline at 1-800-468-4408. Callers can remain anonymous.
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For more information, visit the CAL FIRE website at www.fire.ca.gov. * There is still a declared State of Emergency in Butte County for the Camp Fire.
