Sheriff's Detectives Make Arrest in Attempt Murder Case From Suspicious Fire

Orcutt - August 13tht, 2008

In the early morning hours of Sunday, August 10, 2008, a fire erupted at 250 N. Pacific in the City of Orcutt / Santa Maria. A lone female, who was disabled was found to the front of the residence and stated she resided at that location. The lone female who is disabled, stated she was able to exit her residence without injury once she discovered there was a fire. As the Fire / Arson Investigator looked into the cause of the fire, it was determined that the fire appeared to have been intentionally set. The Sheriff’s Department was at that time contacted to conduct further investigation into the cause of the fire.

Sheriff’s Detectives who responded determined that the lone female had only been at the residence for approximately 1 week and her sister, 50 year old Lolita Nelson actually rented the apartment. Lolita Nelson was not present at the time of the fire and had been seen leaving in a vehicle just prior to the early morning apartment fire.

Through further investigation and investigative follow-up, Sheriff’s Detectives were able to determine that Lolita Nelson was responsible for intentionally setting the apartment on fire as her sister slept inside. Lolita Nelson was contacted later that same day by Sheriff’s Detectives, and after speaking with her, she was arrested for Attempt Murder. She was booked into the Santa Barbara County Jail and held in lieu of $500,000.00 bail.

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