Torrance Man Faces Arson Charges In Yorba Linda Brush Fire

YORBA LINDA (CBSLA.com) — Authorities have identified a man Friday who was arrested in connection to a vehicle and brush fire in Yorba Linda.

Erik Virgil, 26, of Torrance, was arrested on suspicion of arson to forest land and property. He is being held on $50,000 bail and is scheduled to make his first court appearance Monday.

A brush fire was reported at about 12:15 p.m. near the 21400 block of Casino Ridge Road, and an Orange County Sheriff's helicopter was dispatched to assist the Orange County Fire Authority, which observed a man running from the area.

As the OC Sheriff's helicopter coordinated the fire response, sheriff's officials say it became apparent that ground units were having difficulty accessing the area. A Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department helicopter, which was monitoring radio traffic in the area, was directed into the area and landed, deploying SWAT personnel to detain the man on the ridgeline near the fire, according to sheriff's officials.

The suspect, later identified as Virgil, was flown to a nearby park where Orange County Sheriff's deputies were waiting. Virgil was taken to an area hospital for treatment of possible smoke inhalation, and released into Orange County Sheriff's custody.

Anyone with information about the fire can call the Orange County Sheriff's Department or the Orange County Fire Authority at (714) 647-7000.