Lee sheriff’s deputies arrested a third juvenile Monday in connection with one of the fires in Lehigh Acres this weekend. Four fires burned about 2000 acres and damaged or destroyed 16 homes, 4 sheds and 34 vehicles. Two boys were charged with intentionally or recklessly burning land on Sunday. They are 10-year-old Jorge Puig and 12-year-old Russell Walker. Both live on Lincoln Avenue, where the main fire began. Now Lieutenant Robert Forrest says 14-year-old Paris Solis is charged with the crime.
“We found her at her residence in Lehigh Acres. The arrest took place without incident. She was taken briefly to the east district headquarters in Lehigh Acres.”
Forrest says Solis was then taken to the juvenile assessment center next to the Lee County jail. The trio is charged with the third degree felony. Lee County officials say their might be billed for the firefighting costs. Red Cross officials have called the blaze the worst in Lee County's history.
A third juvenile has been charged with intentionally or recklessly burning land in Lehigh Acres this weekend in what combined with other blazes to become the worst brush fire in Lee county history. 14-year-old Paris Solis was charged Monday with the third degree felony. She joins 10-year-old Jorge Puig and 12-year-old Russell Walker – all of Lehigh Acres. The fire burned nearly 2000 acres and damaged or destroyed 12 homes and 34 vehicles. Lieutenant Robert Forrest says these arrests are not the end of it.
“They’re basically charged with one fire and we are still hoping and praying that people will call in some tips on the other fires. Now of these fires were too far away. They’re not charged with all the fires, they’re just charged with one.”
Walker did not appear for a court hearing Monday morning and was taken into custody later. He and Solis have first appearances this morning. Puig made his first appearance Monday and was ordered under house arrest for 21 days until his formal arraignment May 23rd. His arrest report says he admitted starting the fire with two others. There was a burned child’s bicycle at the location where the fire began.