Flock Cameras Make Quick Work of Yakima River Canyon Arson Suspect

Flock cameras strike again, and help Law Enforcement catch an arsonist.

   Friday Evening Fire Reported in Yakima Canyon

Several witnesses called 9-1-1 around 5:45 PM to report smoke and flames seen from Helen McCabe Park, which is near the mouth of the Yakima River Canyon in Kittitas County.

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The flames were along SR (State Route) 821.  A witness called authorities to report seeing a vehicle throw burning materials out into a grass field area, which quickly ignited.  They described a gold colored 4-door Toyota, and within a few minutes after the description and details were entered into the Flock System, it began to work.

As law enforcement began to pursue that lead, fire crews began to beat down the grassfire.

Around 7:37 PM a Flock hit was registered on that suspect vehicle, in Easton, WA. The vehicle was headed for a gas station, and pulled in. Officers called the station and confirmed the driver had gone inside.

 The Suspect Was Elderly

Within another hour, Officers caught up with the suspect, a 72-year-old man from Tacoma. He's now facing arson charges, and has been booked into the Kittitas County Jail in Ellensburg.

Authorities point out the Flock cameras greatly helped them locate and apprehend the suspect, saying especially in arson cases, it's much harder to catch them--if they are ever ID'd and located.