Banning Man Suspected of 'Several' Arson Incidents in Area

A suspected arsonist from Banning was jailed on $5 million bail Monday, for his alleged involvement in "numerous" fires in Riverside and San Bernardino counties, officials announced.

47-year-old Steven Taylor Rutherford was arrested Friday on suspicion of setting fires throughout the two Inland counties-- though the exact incidents have yet to be named, Cal Fire Battalion Chief Julie Hutchinson announced Monday.

According to Hutchinson, Rutherford was arrested on nine counts of arson, and charges are currently pending with the district attorney's office.

"There are several involved incidents that [investigators] are working on," she told Banning-Beaumont Patch in a telephone interview, adding that she wasn't sure exactly what the nine counts were in relation to just yet.  "It's all part of the ongoing investigation."

Though more details won't be available until charges are filed with the DA's office, Cal Fire leaders praised the work of their teams in catching this suspected fire-starter. 

“I’m proud that our fire investigators arrested this arson suspect, said Chief John R. Hawkins, CAL FIRE/Riverside County Fire Department. “A lot of time and energy has been put into this investigation and we look forward to continuing to work with the District Attorney’s Office on this ongoing criminal case.”

According to Hutchinson, fire investigators "work diligently" to investigate the origin of all fires, and when arson is suspected, the team "is committed to holding those responsible who willfully and maliciously threaten the safety of the public."

“Arson is a serious crime that threatens the public, communities and the environment,” said Region Chief Dale Hutchinson, CAL FIRE Southern Region. “This is the third arson arrest for CAL FIRE this week, and let it send a message to anyone considering committing this heinous act.”

Rutherford's arrest came after a joint investigation with other local law enforcement agencies, including the San Bernardino County Fire Department.

“This arrest is a result of teamwork and cooperation with many local fire and law enforcement agencies,” said Chief Rod Bywater, acting unit chief of CAL FIRE’s San Bernardino Unit.

There have been several high-profile fires in the area in recent months, starting with the 3,100-acre Summit fire near the Banning Bench which started May 1.  More recently, the Hathaway Fire on the Morongo reservation burned thousands of wilderness that hadn't been touched in years and has cost more than $13 million to fight, according to fire officials. 

According to Hutchinson, we'll know what fires Rutherford is suspected of igniting once charges are filed.    For now, the suspect is locked up in the Riverside jail in lieu of $5 million bail, according to jail records.

He's set to be arraigned on Wednesday, records indicated.