Arson Investigation Leads To Arrest in Santa Maria Vehicle Fire Incident
SANTA MARIA, CA — August 31, 2026 — A late-night vehicle fire in a Santa Maria parking lot led to an arson investigation and
the arrest of a local man on the night of August 29.
According to Santa Maria Police Department spokesman Lt. Jason Zickuhr,
patrol units and city firefighters were dispatched to the North Broadway business
district at approximately 10:13 p.m. after receiving a report of a burning vehicle.
Firefighters extinguished the blaze while police assisted with the investigation. No
injuries were reported. Authorities have not released information about the vehicle’s
owner, the extent of the damage or a possible motive for the fire.
But the cops did “develop information identifying a suspect” and issued a BOLO (be on the lookout) alert to patrol officers.
Police did not disclose what evidence led investigators to the suspect or where he was
found.
At approximately 11:23 p.m., just over an hour after officers were initially dispatched,
patrol personnel located 63-year-old Santa Maria resident Evelio Torres. He was taken
into custody without further incident.
Torres was transported to the Santa Barbara County Jail, where he was booked on a
charge of arson of property. He remains in custody with his bail set at $50,000.
– by F. Scott Faulkner
