3 juveniles, all 12, arrested in arson
Three 12-year-olds are being held at the Yuma County Juvenile Detention Center following their arrests for allegedly setting several fires at a city park and vandalizing a nearby apartment complex.
According to Sgt. Lori Franklin, a spokesperson for the Yuma Police Department, at approximately 6:12 a.m. Sunday, officers responded to Yuma Valley Park, located at 3162 W. 24th St., in reference to a suspicious fire.
Once on scene officers found that three trash cans and a snack bar trailer, which was a total loss, had been set on fire. Total estimated damages at the park are approximately $10,150.
Franklin said the investigation into the incident revealed that sometime between the hours of 5 a.m. and 6:12 a.m., three 12-year-old juveniles set the fires.
The three juveniles, according to Franklin, then went to River Park Apart-
ments, located at 2575 W. 24th St., where they allegedly took 16 fire extinguishers and sprayed them throughout the apartment complex.
“While responding to Yuma Valley Park, officers noticed heavy white smoke coming from the River Park Apartment complex,” Franklin said.
The three juveniles also allegedly threw rocks, breaking a window at the
apartment complex’s office. Total estimated damages at the apartment complex were $2,220, which brings the total cost of damages to approximately $12,370.
All three juveniles were arrested and booked into the Yuma juvenile center on charges of arson, criminal damage and criminal trespass.
There are no reported injuries.
The Yuma Police Department encourages anyone with any information
about this case to please call the Yuma Police Department at 928-373-4700 or 78-Crime at (928) 782-7463 to remain anonymous.