Transient Arrested in Arson in Avalon
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A transient was arrested on suspicion of arson after a fire leveled a two-story residence on Catalina Island early Wednesday morning, Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputies said.
Robert Wantz, 51, was taken into custody after police found him wandering around the area of the fire in Avalon at 3:30 a.m. with a pocket full of matchbooks, sheriff’s investigators said.
Deputies said he admitted setting the blaze, and a formal complaint will be filed with the district attorney’s office today. Bail is set at $10,000.
Avalon resident Randy Lins, his wife and three children escaped injury in the two-alarm fire at their residence at 114 Marilla Ave. Damage was estimated to be $250,000.
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