Man seeking ‘fresh start’ accused of arson, setting SUV on fire north of Bend that spread to nearby trailer
Barney Lerten
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — A resident of a small homeless encampment north of Bend was arrested on arson and other charges Friday, accused of setting a vehicle fire that spread to a nearby trailer and trees.
Deschutes County 911 dispatchers received a report just after 8 a.m. of a fire near milepost 131 on Highway 97, just south of Deschutes Junction, sheriff’s office Public Information Officer Jason Carr said.
Bend Fire crews arrived quickly and were able to knock the flames down before they could spread further, Carr said, adding that no injuries were reported.
Sheriff’s deputies determined that Charles Smith Harris Jr., 55, allegedly set fire to an SUV, which then spread to another man’s nearby trailer, Carr said. The fire also ignited several small trees in the area.
Harris was booked into the county jail on charges of first-degree arson, reckless burning, first-degree criminal mischief, second-degree criminal trespass and second-degree disorderly conduct.
Harris was cooperative with deputies, Carr said, and reportedly told them he started the fire in an attempt to “get a fresh start.”
Carr told KTVZ News Harris and the trailer owner “knew each other because of living near each other,” but that no altercation occurred.
Harris claimed the SUV was his, but Carr told us there’s “some question as to who owns it.”
It was the second arson arrest to occur north of Bend in less than a day. Jodie Wakeman, a resident of Green Acres RV Park south of Redmond, is accused of setting her trailer ablaze, a fire that spread to two other RVs and killed a dog.
Carr said the two crimes were not related.