Officers from the Susanville Police Department were called to the Golden 1 Credit Union on Main Street on the morning of May 3rd, at around 7:30, after receiving a report that a subject had just broken a window at the business.
“Officers arrived on scene and began searching the area for the suspect,” explains Police Chief Ryan Cochran. “An officer observed the possible suspect standing at the Lassen Federal Credit Union and witnessed him throw a rock through one of the business windows, shattering it.”
According to the report, a foot pursuit ensued, and the suspect ran through the back business doors of Tractor Supply and towards Main Street, where he was taken into custody with the assistance of Cal-Fire Law Enforcement and the Lassen County Sheriff’s Office.
The suspect was identified by police as 22-year old Susanville resident Jerry S. Gray, who they say is on active Post Release Community Supervision in Butte County and Probation here in Lassen County.
“After being apprehended,” said Cochran, “officers began looking at Jerry S. Gray as a possible suspect for the fires at the old Mill Ponds, Napa Auto, Papa Murphey’s Pizza and the other fires in the immediate area.”
According to Cochran, arson charges will be referred to the Lassen County District Attorney and Gray is currently booked into the Lassen County Jail on Felony vandalism charges.
“We would like to thank the citizens and business owners who assisted and provided video surveillance; as well as the Lassen County Sheriff’s Office and Cal-Fire.”
