SAN DIEGO - Tyler Carender was arrested this morning on federal charges that in the fall of 2016 he committed three arsons involving buildings at the St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church and the Oak Crest Middle School, all located in Encinitas.
Carender was taken into custody this morning at his home on Island View Lane in Encinitas, which is adjacent to Oak Crest Middle School, and a block from the St. Andrew’s Church complex. He made his first court appearance this afternoon before U.S. Magistrate Judge William V. Gallo.
According to the indictment unsealed today, Carender began his arson spree on Saturday, October 22 of last year by setting fire to the Friendship House Counseling and Youth Center building, which is owned and operated by Saint Andrew’s Episcopal Church on Balour Drive in Encinitas. Firefighters from the EncinitasFire Department were able to prevent the fire from spreading to adjacent buildings. However, the fire engulfed the entire Youth Center, resulting in a loss of approximately $200,000.
A week later, on Saturday, Oct. 29, he set fire to the Administration Building on the campus of Oak Crest Middle School, also on Balour Drive in Encinitas. The fire caused a partial collapse of the ceiling and roof of the structure, thereby presenting a substantial risk of injury to first responders from the Encinitas Fire Department. While no firefighters were injured, there was extensive damage to real and personal property estimated at $300,000.
Two weeks after that, on Nov. 12, the defendant used an incendiary bomb, i.e., Molotov Cocktail, to set fire to the preschool building on the Saint Andrew’s Church complex. Encinitas Fire Department was able to contain the fire to an office in the preschool, and the resulting damage is estimated at $34,000.
Defendant is next scheduled to appear before Magistrate Judge Gallo on July 11th at 2:15 p.m. for a bail/detention hearing.
DEFENDANTS Case Number 17cr1588
Tyler Carender Age: 20 Encinitas, CA
SUMMARY OF CHARGES
Malicious Damage to Buildings or Real Property Affecting Interstate Commerce by Means of Fire or an Explosive, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 844(i)
Penalty: Minimum 5 years; Maximum 20 years Malicious Damage to Buildings and Real Property Receiving Federal Financial Assistance by Means of Fire or an Explosive, which created a substantial risk of injury to public safety officer, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sec. 844(f)(1) and (f)(2)
Penalty: Minimum 7 years; Maximum 40 years AGENCIES
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
San Diego County Sheriff’s Department, Bomb/Arson Unit
Palomar College Police Department *The charges and allegations contained in an indictment or complaint are merely accusations, and the defendants are considered innocent unless and until proven guilty.
