On May 12, 2013, Tucson Police Department personnel and Tucson Fire Department personnel responded to seven different alley fires in the area of East 22nd Street and South Wilmot Road. During the investigation of these incidents Tucson Fire Department Investigators and Tucson Police Department Arson Detectives were able to identify three juveniles, who were responsible the fires in the area. The detectives located two of the three juveniles on May 12, 2013. They were identified as 11-year old Jupree Jordan and 11-year old Noah Ramos. The third juvenile, identified as 12-year old Tyler Elfering-Spear, was located on May 14, 2013.
Jordan and Ramos were ultimately arrested for several counts of Reckless Burning as well as Arson of Property, felony offenses, for fires that were set in the 6000 block of East 23rd Street, the 5800 to 5900 block of East 24th Street, the 6000 block of East 25th Street, and the 6100 block of East 32nd Street. It was determined that Spears was not responsible for any of the fires that were set on May 12, 2013.
However, he was ultimately arrested for Reckless Burning and Arson of Property charges as a result of investigations into arson incidents that occurred in the 5900 block of East 25th Street and 6000 block of East 26th Street on April 26, 2013 as well as an incident that occurred in the 6000 block of East 27th Street on April 28, 2013.
The Tucson Police Department believes that other juveniles may have also been involved in setting fires on the east side of town. Anyone having information regarding the incidents of arson mentioned above or any other fires that occurred in the area of East 22nd Street and South Wilmot Road is asked to call 911 or 88-Crime.