TOOELE COUNTY, Utah — A man has been arrested on arson charges following an overnight wildfire in Tooele County that burned over 4 acres.
The fire was first reported at 10:45 p.m. Wednesday near 188 North Sheridan Avenue in Stockton, and was declared to be under control by 5 a.m. The Tooele County Sheriff's Office said its investigators determined the fire had two ignition points, meaning two different places where someone attempted to start a fire.
Deputies detained 39-year-old Timothy Devone West, who was seen running away from the area with a headlamp and knocking on the doors of neighbors to warn them about a fire.
West claimed to have left his home at 8:45 p.m. to pick up his nephew. However, a FLOCK camera showed he had traveled in a different direction than he had disclosed to investigators. The camera allegedly showed West traveling near the intersection of Spring Meadow Drive and Droubay Road, where a fire was ignited.
Surveillance cameras from neighbors showed West arriving home at 10:28 p.m. about 3 minutes before the fire was first seen on video. Three minutes after the fire was detected, West was seen running around, notifying neighbors.
Despite allegedly being in the area of three Tooele County fires. West denied having any involvement.
As West was booked into custody, authorities discovered a black and white substance, consistent with soot, found on his boots, and claim he also made comments about rather dying than going to prison.
West is charged with three counts of arson, causing catastrophe, and damaging a jail. He is being held without bail.
The Tooele County Sheriff's Office is asking residents and businesses in the Stockton area, as well as anyone who may have been traveling through the Stockton or Lake Point areas around the time of the fires, to review any surveillance or security camera footage and report any suspicious activity or relevant information to Tooele County Dispatch at (435) 882-5600.
