Police say teen set off Yuma playground fire
The 17-year-old suspect recently arrested in an officer-involved shooting has now been linked to the 2014 playground arson fire at West Wetlands Park.
Police said 17-year-old Kane Perez confessed to starting the fire that destroyed the Stewart Vincent Wolfe Imaginary Playground on December 28, 2014. Perez was 13 at the time of the incident. We typically do not identify minors, but we are identifying Perez because he’s being tried as an adult for the officer-involved shooting that happened August 1.
Police said they responded to the fire with the Yuma Fire Department at 10:15 p.m. on December 28. Authorities confirmed the following morning that the playground was a total loss.
A three and a half year investigation by YPD and YFD led to the connection of Kane Perez.
On Monday, August 6, police interviewed Perez who admitted to setting the fire that consumed the Stewart Vincent Wolfe Creative Playground on the night of December 28, 2014.
A complaint has been filed seeking felony charges on Perez for his role in the playground arson to the Yuma County Attorney’s Office for review.
Officials said the arson might be gang-related.
As for the officer-involved shooting, Perez and 23-year-old Luis German Juarez are facing several charges tied to that incident.