A convicted arsonist already in prison is now accused of intentionally setting other fires in order to burglarize California fire stations.
Christian David Saddler, 21, of Hesperia, faces nine felony counts of arson and burglary stemming from the blazes in December 2016, according to the Orange County Fire Authority. A former Explorer in San Bernardino County, Saddler allegedly started the fires, which caused more than $5 million in damage, as distractions so that he could steal items from four stations in Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino counties.
Authorities arrested Saddler last month at Corcoran State Prison. He had been serving a five-year prison term for arson and burglary in connection with an incident in January 2017 in Norco.
Saddler's next court date is Sept. 11.
