Sonora, CA…On 01/18/2022, at approximately 1257 hours, a call came into the Sonora Police Department of a possible fire in a structure near the intersection of S. Stewart St. and W. Church St. Officer’s arrived on scene and contacted 43-year-old Grady Pinkevich of Sonora. During the investigation, Pinkevich told the officer that he was transient and was trying to make the structure his residence. Pinkevich told the Officer that there were items in the building that he set on fire to get rid of.

Sonora Fire Department Personnel arrived on scene and extinguished the smoldering items. Sonora City Fire Chief, Aimee New, stated that if the fire had been able to get established in the structure, the fire could have moved into other occupied businesses in the block and caused injuries and additional damage.

During the instigation, Officer’s located a gas can and a handheld propane torch that Pinkevich admitted to using to start the fire. Pinkevich was transported to the Tuolumne County Jail and booked for arson. Pinkevich remains in custody and bail is set at $50,000.