On November 13, Ventura County Sheriff's Office attended to a fire in Ojai, California, where they arrested Devin Oatway, 45, for recklessly causing a fire to an inhabited structure, and for elder abuse. The combined efforts of the Ojai Police Department Patrol Services, Ventura County Sheriff's Office Major Crimes Arson Investigator, and Ojai Detective Bureau are investigating the case following the arrest, as stated by the Ventura County Sheriff's Office.
Structural fires can cause irreversible damages and, sometimes, even loss of life. The elderly are especially susceptible to such incidents, making their investigation and penalization fundamental.
Oatway was apprehended under suspicion of elder abuse as an elderly person happened to be in the residence when the fire broke out.
Public vigilance and assistance are vital to the ongoing investigation.
As per the Ventura County Sheriff's Office, anyone with information pertaining to the fire's circumstances is encouraged to contact Detective Boynton to assist with the investigation.
