Man arrested for starting brush fire in Desert Hot Springs

Man arrested for setting a brush fire in Desert Hot Springs Friday evening.

Desert Hot Springs police officers responded to request for assistance from CalFire Friday at around 7:50 p.m.

According to a DHSPD news release, fire crews were on their way to a brush fire in the area of Mission Lakes Blvd near Sonora Drive and witnesses reported seeing a male subject fleeing the scene of the fire.

A man matching the description was found walking in the area of Mission Lakes Blvd and West Drive. According to officers, when they contacted the man, he was holding a lighter and immediately admitted to starting the fire.

The fire was contained to a small area of vegetation and was quickly extinguished.

The suspect, John Tatum, 54, of Desert Hot Springs was arrested and booked into the Riverside County Jail in Banning on charges of arson and possession of drug paraphernalia.