Small Town News

Arson suspect arrested

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Police say he set last September's fires

Tribal Police have arrested a man suspected of arson and booked him into Okanogan County Jail.

Elam Sonny Ray Baker is suspected of starting 10 fires last fall that scorched more than 1,900 acres from Elmer City to Nespelem and another fire 10 days later on the Columbia River Road.

The "Highway 155/Milepost 38" fire forced evacuations of homes near the Colville Indian Agency campus and of the Colville Convalescent Center and brought frustration to a head over years of arson fires that have cost millions to contain, sent valuable resources up in smoke and inspired a campaign to encourage people to come forward with information.

"Stop Burning our Heritage" was a theme chosen' for the campaign, as the tribal housing authority voted to add $50,000 to a reward fund last fall.

Police arrested Baker, 34, in Nespelem Friday on one count of first-degree arson and nine counts of second-degree arson. Police Chief Matt Haney said he thinks Baker does not have a permanent address.

Baker pleaded not guilty Monday at a preliminary hearing and remains in jail. Bail was set at $100,000.

Haney declined to comment on suspected motives or methods for the crimes because the investigation is still under way.

He said two tribal police detectives have been assigned to the case for some time and working with investigators from the Bureau of Indian Affair's Mt. Tolman Fire Center and the state's Department of Natural Resources.

It was not clear whether reward money offered for information played a roll in the case, but, "We did receive a lot of tips," Haney said.

"The person responsible for these potentially deadly fires not only destroyed tribal natural resources, but also threatened the lives and safety of vulnerable Tribal elders, local community members, and the firefighters and volunteers who battled the blaze," tribal Chairman Michael O. Finley said in a press release. "The Colville Tribes will continue to work diligently to assure that anyone who commits this crime in our homeland will be brought to justice."



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© 2010 The Star Grand Coulee, Washington. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from DAS.

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