Hughson man faces arson charges in connection with string of fires in the city
Stanislaus County sheriff’s deputies arrested a Hughson man Tuesday on suspicion setting of multiple fires throughout the city over the past week and a half.
Nine fires were set in trash cans, garbage bins and vegetation piles, mostly on Hughson and Santa Fe avenues from Oct. 15 to Oct. 24, according to a press release. One of the trash can fires threatened a business until the deputy who responded to the scene kicked it away from the building.
Investigators identified the suspect as 35-year-old Kevin Stalnacker. During the service of a search warrant at his home near Hughson Avenue and Sixth Street on Tuesday afternoon, Stalnacker attempted to flee out the back but deputies were there waiting and quickly detained him, according to the release.
During a search of the residence, investigators recovered distinctive clothing that the suspect was seen wearing in video surveillance footage.
“He also made incriminating comments to investigators putting him in the immediate area at the time of some of the fires,” according to the release.
Stalnacker was booked into the Stanislaus County jail on suspicion of three counts of arson; one count of misdemeanor delaying, obstructing or resisting a peace officer; and one count of violating the terms and conditions of his felony probation.
