CLEARLAKE – A Clearlake man was arrested last week, accused of setting on fire a roadside fruit and vegetable stand in Colusa County.

Norman Ralph Henderson, 61, was arrested April 23 after law enforcement received reports from people who allegedly saw his pickup leaving the stand, located along Highway 20 west of Williams, said Colusa County Sheriff's Sgt. Kevin Erdelt.

Erdelt said the California Highway Patrol pulled over Henderson, who was heading toward Clearlake, on Highway 20 near the junction with Highway 16.

Henderson was arrested and held in the Colusa County Jail until Friday, when he was released, said Erdelt.

Henderson has faced arson charges before in Nevada, according to Erdelt. “He admitted to being a convicted arsonist.”

A Woodland Daily Democrat report on the case said that Henderson also had been convicted of arson in Butte County four decades ago.

The Colusa County District Attorney's Office confirmed Monday that two arson charges – arson of a structure and arson of property – are being filed against Henderson. No arraignment date has yet been set.

 

The Daily Democrat reported that the fruit stand, in operation since 1997, suffered minor damage and had not yet opened for the summer season.

E-mail Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

{mos_sb_discuss:2}