Deputies Locate and Arrest Arson Suspect, House Destroyed by Fire
With the help of witnesses, Spokane Valley Deputies quickly gained a description and direction of travel for a male who was seen walking away from a vacant home in Spokane Valley moments before it caught fire. The male was located, detained, and later arrested for Arson 2nd Degree and Residential Burglary.
Spokane Valley Fire, assisted by Spokane City Fire Department, responded and extinguished the flames. No one was injured during this incident, but the home was extensively damaged and believed to be a total loss.
On March 29, 2023, at approximately 9:45 am, Spokane Valley Fire and Spokane Valley Deputies responded to a reported house fire in the 400 block of S. Chronicle Road in Spokane Valley.
Witnesses reported smoke was coming from the reportedly vacant home, and a male believed to be transient was seen walking away from the residence just before it caught fire. The male was said to be carrying a fan and blankets as he walked north on Chronicle toward 4th Avenue.
Deputies later learned a male described as a “transient looking”, white male, approximately 5’10”, with a beard, wearing a black sweatshirt with what appeared to be an “M” on the front, carrying a fan and blankets, was walking north across the I-90 footbridge.
Deputies contacted the male suspect, identified as 31-year-old Matthew M. Jones, near Sprague Avenue and Custer Road and detained him.
Witnesses identified Jones as the male observed inside and leaving the home before the fire started. Deputies established probable cause to arrest Jones for Arson and Burglary as the investigation continued.
Jones was transported and booked into the Spokane County Jail for Arson 2nd Degree, Residential Burglary, and an unrelated misdemeanor warrant.
Spokane Valley Fire Department, assisted by Spokane Fire Department, extinguished the fire, which caused extensive damage.
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