Full Notification

DATE/TIME: April 24, 2024, 1:37 p.m.

INCIDENT: PC 451 - Arson

LOCATION: 34900 block of Avenue H, Yucaipa
                    34500 block of County Line Road, Yucaipa

SUSPECT(S): Jonathan Nava, 37 year-old male, New Mexico resident


SUMMARY: Deputies from the Yucaipa Station and Yucaipa Fire Department/CAL FIRE personnel were dispatched to the area of Avenue H and Harmony Lane for a report of a fire at the location. The original report was that a vehicle arrived at the location and the suspect threw a gas can at the church and started a fire. The fire was extinguished prior to the fire department's arrival. The origin of the fire was suspicious in nature and investigators from CAL FIRE Law Enforcement were requested. Deputies and CAL FIRE Law Enforcement conducted a joint investigation regarding the incident. During the investigation, law enforcement learned there was a related arson call at a nearby business on County Line Road. 

Based on the involvement of a church, the Bureau of  Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), along with a Task Force Officer from CAL FIRE Office of the State Fire Marshal responded to lead the investigation. The San Bernardino County Fire Marshal  (accelerant K-9) and San Bernardino County Sheriff's Arson/Bombs detectives also assisted the agencies. Physical and video evidence was recovered at the scenes which led to a description of a suspect's vehicle: early 1990s silver/gray Toyota pickup truck. 

At 5:41 p.m., deputies were dispatched to the 31600 block of Yucaipa Boulevard reference a gray truck which had driven into a chain link fence. The subject exited his vehicle and attempted to free his vehicle. A deputy arrived at the location and found the driver inside his vehicle attempting to drive away. As the deputy approached the vehicle on foot, the interior cabin of the vehicle was set on fire. The deputy opened the vehicle door and the male subject, later identified as Jonathan Nava, fell out of the vehicle. Nava sustained fire related injuries to his leg. He was treated at the scene by CAL Fire and AMR personnel, and transported to a local area hospital for additional medical treatment. The subject and his vehicle matched the suspect description in the first arson investigation. Nava was interviewed reference both arson investigations. 

Jonathan Nava was arrested for arson and was booked at West Valley Detention Center. His bail was set at $90,000.

This investigation is still ongoing. Anyone with information regarding this incident is urged to contact Deputy Castaneda of the Yucaipa Station at (909) 918-2305 or CAL FIRE Investigator Schroeder at (951) 248-0321. Callers wishing to remain anonymous are urged to call the We-Tip Hotline at 1-800-78-CRIME (27463), or you may leave information on the We-Tip hotline at www.wetip.com 


Refer: Investigator Schroeder, CAL FIRE Office of the State Fire Marshal Arson and Bomb Unit, Deputy Castaneda of the Yucaipa Station 

Station: Yucaipa Station

Phone No. (909) 918-2305

Case No. 142401504

SHANNON D. DICUS, Sheriff-Coroner
San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner Department