Man Cuffed For Alleged Arson In Murrieta

MURRIETA, CA – A 34-year-old Murrieta man was arrested for allegedly starting a brush fire Monday evening in the area of Hayes Avenue and Kalmia Street in Murrieta, police said.

The Murrieta Police and Fire Department's Dispatch Center began receiving numerous emergency calls at about 6:20 p.m. regarding the fire, with several callers adding that they spotted a "suspicious male" walking from the area shortly after the fire began. Responding police officers were directed by a citizen to a yard where the suspect reportedly was seen, police said.

Police and a bloodhound searched the neighborhood and found the individual, identified as Matthew Hulbert, allegedly "hiding" inside his home, the department said.

Hulbert was positively identified as being the subject seen leaving the field where the fire started, police said, adding that investigators confirmed the blaze as arson.

Hulbert is on Post Release Community Supervision for battery on an officer, plus has a criminal history that includes convictions for assault with a deadly weapon, burglary, battery on emergency personnel, resisting officers and driving under the influence, police said.

He was arrested for suspicion of arson and booked into the Southwest Detention Center.

In a statement the Murrieta PD said: "It should be noted that Mr. Hulbert is a product of Assembly Bill 109. Local communities like Murrieta have felt the effects of Assembly Bill 109. The above arrest demonstrates the impact of these mandates on the citizens of Murrieta. The Murrieta Police Department recognizes the concerns associated with these mandates and we continue to proactively arrest the AB109 offenders that victimize our residents. Many of these arrests are generated by alert citizens that call in suspicious activity. We encourage our residents to stay vigilant in their reporting of crime, as was the case with this arrest."

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--City News Service/Image via Murrieta PD