Witnesses' identification leads to arrest of alleged Old Trails Fire arsonist
After spotting a suspicious man near railroad tracks, Paul Child and two teenage witnesses helped police identify Aaron Forrest Farinacci, who was later arrested for allegedly starting the Old Trails wildfire.
Paul Child drove past a man near railroad tracks outside his Washington residence, observing the individual crouching in bushes before smoke rose about ten minutes later. Officers from the Airway Heights Police Department evacuated Child's family and later arranged a field showup, during which Child, his grandson and the grandson’s friend each gave a positive identification of the detained suspect. The suspect was named as Aaron Forrest Farinacci, who had been released after the initial identification but was taken into custody again on August 3.
Court filings allege he built a delayed-ignition device and set the Old Trails Fire, one of three blazes that have scorched Spokane and Stevens counties since August 1. He now faces a $2 million bail and several arson counts, including claims of prior fire-setting activity. The incident prompted evacuation of Child’s home and highlighted the role of civilian witnesses in the investigation.
Why it matters
The case shows how civilian observations can aid law enforcement in tackling dangerous wildfire arson.
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