As new details emerge about the 34-year-old man from Riverside County accused of starting the now 36,500-acre Line Fire, as well as how he came to the attention of authorities, neighbors of Justin Wayne Halstenberg expressed their shock and dismay at his arrest.
Halstenberg, who lives nearly 50 miles away from where the Line Fire started, in Norco, was arrested on Sept. 9 for arson.
Investigators said they were able to use license plate readers and other means that put the 34-year-old in the vicinity of where the fire started in Highland on Sept. 5 and added that that they have surveillance footage among other evidence collected during the investigation.
“We were able to look at several different videos and determine who the suspect was,” San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Lt. Kari Klaus said.
In a Wednesday press conference, authorities said that they believe Halstenberg started the fire intentionally and may be responsible for others.
Detectives also said that a search of his home in the quiet community of Norco revealed evidence relating to the investigation.