Jamestown, CA…From the Tuolumne Sheriff’s Dept…”On Saturday, around noon, Deputy Stephens was patrolling the area of Jamestown Road when he was stopped by a man who said he witnessed someone trying to start a grass fire on Jamestown Road near Fifth Avenue. The witness gave Deputy Stephens a physical description of the person and said the suspect was using a blue “Bic” lighter.

Deputy Stephens immediately recognized the man from the description as 30-year-old Christopher Stone of Jamestown. The deputy spotted Christopher leaving a house on Jamestown Road, but Christopher ran away when the deputy approached. The chase zigged in and out of Highway 108 traffic before Deputy Stephens was able to catch up to and tackle Christopher to the ground. Christopher continued to resist the deputy even as two other deputies arrived to help restrain him. When Christopher was arrested, deputies discovered he had a blue “Bic” lighter.

Deputy Stephens suffered minor injuries. Christopher was booked into the County Jail for attempted arson, resisting arrest causing injury and resisting or delaying a peace officer. Christopher’s bail was set at $25,000.00.

We should note, there was a Red Flag Warning issued that day. We’re thankful an alert community member spoke up and could have possibly prevented a devastating fire.”