A woman who was angry because the Elks Lodge had her car towed may have set the 3 p.m. Thursday fire behind the lodge that threatened homes and land near the Fish Hook.
Santa Cruz Police said Friday they caught a man running from the 3 p.m. blaze Thursday carrying a butane lighter and they found a woman who had fought with the Lodge soon after at the Homeless Services Center.
Arrested on suspicion of arson were Mitchell Edward Swienton, 49, and Kelly Nichole Hawkins, 30. Both are being held at Santa Cruz County Jail. Hawkins has been arrested 10 times this year and is out on probation for the fourth time, police said.
After the fire was reported at 3 p.m. witnesses told police they saw people running from the blaze, which was behind the Elks Lodge at 150 Jewell St. Officers set up a perimeter and quickly spotted Swienton, they said, still carrying a butane lighter.
A First Alarm security officer saw Kelly Hawkins running to the Homeless Services Center at 115 Coral St. and called Santa Cruz Police.
Police said that earlier in the day Hawkins had fought with the Lodge at 150 Jewell St., which reported her abandoned car and had it towed.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
