Allen Dinoyo, a 48-year-old man who had been homeless, has been sentenced to 13 years and 4 months in prison for setting multiple fires across San Diego County in November. Dinoyo's arson spree began on November 10 in Jamul and included six more fires in locations like Dehesa and Rancho San Diego within two hours on November 20, reported NBC San Diego.
The Millar Fire, which drew significant attention, necessitated evacuation warnings and road closures near the San Diego National Wildlife Refuge. The fire consumed 11 acres near Miller and Campo roads. According to Mike Cornette, a CAL FIRE Captain, "Anytime we have a concentrated number of fires in one area, that kind of raises some suspicion on our part," as per NBC San Diego. In the end, Dinoyo set fires totaling nine in various communities, including La Mesa and San Diego.
CBS 8 detailed that over Thanksgiving weekend last year, Dinoyo was apprehended on multiple felony arson charges. Dinoyo faced a possible maximum of 39 years in prison, but the sentence was reduced as part of a plea deal.
A deeper dive into Dinoyo's past reveals a 2021 incident where, during probation, he severely injured a 73-year-old man with a skateboard. The victim recounted, "I put my arm up in self-defense to block a blow to my face, which probably would have been fatal, and he completely filleted my forearm right to the bone. I was bleeding out," as told CBS 8. Dinoyo's criminal history also includes a restraining order filed against him by his mother due to his violent behavior and substance misuse.
Finally, Dinoyo's successful apprehension resulted from cooperative efforts among multiple agencies. Observant community members and thorough investigations led to a coordinated response from CAL FIRE Law Enforcement, the San Diego County Sheriff's Department, and other local agencies.
