Columbia, CA…On 09/19/16 at approx. 0055 hours, deputies were called out to Columbia Gem Motel for an attempted arson that had just occurred. Contact was made with the owner of the motel who reported that other small arson fires had occurred at the motel on 09/18/2016. The owner said Catherine Park was staying at the motel and was a suspect in setting those fires. Park was monitored and it was witnessed that she attempted to set a plant on her deck on fire with a lighter.

Deputies investigated the fires and spoke to Park as well as the witness. Park was arrested on suspicion of arson and booked into the county jail without incident. Park is also suspected of starting a fire that destroyed a mobile home in June of 2015. Park is currently in custody at the Tuolumne County Jail with a $25,000 bail.