Man found at California cemetery after suspected in North Las Vegas arson fire
LAS VEGAS (KLAS) – A North Las Vegas man found at a cemetery in California is facing arson charges after a home fire, according to police.
On Tuesday, fire crews arrived at the scene of a home engulfed in flames in the 6000 block of Wood Thrush Place near North Decatur Boulevard and Elkhorn Road. Investigators later reviewed nearby security video of a man starting the fire before quickly leaving the area. He was later identified as Dean Huggins, the homeowner, and also named a person of interest in the case, according to police.
He was later located at a cemetery in Santa Barbara County, California after friends and family received word that he was there threatening to commit suicide.
North Las Vegas Fire Department, North Las Vegas Police, and Las Vegas Metro police teamed up to find Huggins’s exact location. The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office was then able to take him safely into custody on March 5 around 2 p.m.
While in their custody, Huggins made incriminating statements regarding his involvement in the arson and was found to have sustained minor burns consistent with his activities during the incident, according to police.
As of Thursday, Huggins was being held by Santa Barbara County and charges of first-degree arson were filed with the North Las Vegas Justice Court.
Anyone with information about this case is urged to contact Commander Jeff Lomprey with the North Las Vegas Fire Department Fire Investigation Division at 702-669-3339.
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