Date/Time Written:

2/26/201019:37

Type of Incident:

House Fire Results in 2 Arrests

Date/Time of Incident:

2/20/201010:24

Location of Incident:

39000 Block of Bonaire Way

Reporting Officer:

Sgt. Tony Conrad

Reporting Officer Phone:

951-461-6309

File Number:

MR10-000958

Incident Summary

On 2/20/2010 at 1024 hours the Murrieta Fire Department responded to the 39000 block of Bonaire Way reference a house fire.  Firefighters forced entry into the home to extinguish the fire.  While inside, Fire personnel discovered the source of the fire originated at the Edison box.  In addition, Fire personnel discovered a large marijuana grow inside the home.  Murrieta P.D. Detectives responded to the location and a search warrant was obtained for the residence.  Investigation has revealed the home owners tapped into the Edison side of the electrical box to run the marijuana grow free of charge from Edison.  The power consumption exceeded the capacity of the wiring and started the fire.  Over 700 marijuana plants and over $50,000 street value of dried and packaged marijuana was found in the home.  In addition, Edison's loss is estimated at over $2,000 at this time.  No one was at home at the time of this investigation.

On 2/26/2010, Detectives from the Murrieta Police Department located and arrested the homeowners responsible for the fire, the theft of utilities and the marijuana grow.  Bobby Wayne Richey and his wife Sylvia Richie were booked at the Southwest Jail for the listed charges.