chwarzenegger Announces $50,000 Reward toward Arrest and Conviction of Arsonist
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today announced a $50,000 reward for information leading toward the arrest and conviction in a California court of the person or persons responsible for setting the Santiago Fire. Below is the full text of the Governor's proclamation.
PROCLAMATION
WHEREAS, there are more than 15 fires burning in southern California; and
WHEREAS, the fires have burned hundreds of thousands of acres, including thousands of homes, businesses and structures; and
WHEREAS, the fires have forced 321,500 people to evacuate; and
WHEREAS, in response to the fires, I issued a proclamation of emergency for seven counties, including Orange County, and the President of the United States declared a major disaster in those counties; and
WHEREAS, one of the fires in southern California is the Santiago Fire in Orange County, which has burned more than 20,000 acres, causing more than 40,000 people to evacuate; and
WHEREAS, state and local officials have determined that the cause of the Santiago fire is most likely arson; and
WHEREAS, the Governor is authorized by Penal Code section 1547(a) to offer rewards up to $50,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of any person who commits arson; and
WHEREAS, Orange County Sheriff Michael S. Carona has asked that a state reward be offered to encourage individuals with information about this crime to contact law enforcement; and
WHEREAS, rewards often encourage public cooperation essential to apprehend those who have committed serious offenses; and
WHEREAS, the reward will be paid in accordance with Penal Code section 1547.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER, Governor of the State of California, do hereby offer, effective immediately, a reward in the amount of $50,000 for new information, voluntarily given hereafter, leading to the arrest and conviction in a California court of the person or persons responsible for setting the Santiago Fire.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Great Seal of the State of California to be affixed at Sacramento, California this 24th day of October 2007.
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