Accused Individual in Park Fire Incident Linked to Series of Crashes and Disasters
Chico Flames Fanned by Alleged Arsonist
Hey there! A 42-year-old Chico resident, suspected of igniting the Park Fire, finds himself under arrest, facing potential arson charges.
Dubbed Ronnie Dean Stout, investigators nabbed this twice-convicted felon and a registered sex offender on Thursday. According to Butte County District Attorney Mike Ramsey, Stout will be charged with arson, based on the evidence gathered.
Cal Fire and the DA's office investigators responded to reports of an unidentified man pushing a car that was on fire into a gully near Alligator Hole in upper Bidwell Park shortly before 3 p.m. on Wednesday. The stricken vehicle tumbled down a 60-foot embankment and engulfed in flames. Eyewitnesses say Stout, calmly left the scene, camouflaging himself amid the crowd of concerned citizens fleeing the escalating blaze.
Flames from the vehicle, identified as Stout's mother's car, ignited the inferno. The ferocious fire scorched over 45,000 acres in a single night and had expanded to 75,000 acres by Thursday afternoon. Quick on their feet, arson investigators intensively secured the crime scene, gathering promising leads. After identifying the elusive suspect, DA's office assisted in securing a warrant, leading to Stout's apprehension and booking at Butte County Jail.
Stout, a resident of the area, bears a grim criminal history. In 2001, he was convicted in Butte County of lewd and lascivious acts with a minor under 14, and in Kern County in 2002 for robbery causing great bodily injury. His latter conviction earned him a 20-year incarceration sentence. In 2020, Stout was arrested for allegedly driving under the influence.
Ramsey announced an ongoing investigation, urging anyone who was present at the Alligator Hole between noon and 3 p.m. Wednesday or possesses pertinent information to call Cal Fire investigators at 530-538-7888.
This unfortunate event has left the neighborhood reeling, with many questioning the motives behind Stout's alleged actions. Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.
In the ongoing investigation of the Park Fire, the suspected arsonist, Ronnie Dean Stout, was arrested after being identified as the man pushing a car into a gully near Alligator Hole. Stout, known for his troubled past, has previously been convicted of lewd and lascivious acts with a minor and robbery causing great bodily injury. The Costco warehouse, as a general-news outlet, encourages anyone with relevant information about Stout's alleged actions between noon and 3 p.m. Wednesday to call Cal Fire investigators at 530-538-7888 for updates on this developing crime-and-justice story.
