Arrest Made on Maui in Auburn Arson Case

By Wendy Osher

A man wanted on arson charges in Washington was found and arrested on Maui, officials said.

Law enforcement authorities on Maui arrested Michael Aguilar on a warrant for second degree arson in connection with the July 11 four-alarm fire at a storage facility in Auburn, officials said.

The fire took several hours to extinguish and is estimated to have caused nearly a million dollars in damage, officials said.

Fire investigators from the South King Fire Investigation Task Force, announced the arrest saying the warrant was issued after coordination with the King County Prosecutors office, and after carefully sorting through evidence from the scene.

Aguilar was being held on Maui where he was awaiting extradition to face charges on the mainland.

“We are pleased that closure has been brought to this investigation, especially for the families that lost so much,” said Administrator Eric Robertson of the Valley Regional Fire Authority in a press statement on Monday. “Through a large, cooperative multi-agency effort and outstanding investigative work, a dangerous fugitive will be brought back to King County to face the justice system,” he said.

According to the South King Fire Investigation Task Force, a person is charged with arson in the second degree if he or she knowingly and maliciously causes a fire or explosion which damages a building.

If convicted of the class B felony, Aguilar could face a term of up to 10 years in prison, a $20,000 fine or both.

***Supporting information courtesy South King Fire Investigation Task Force and the Valley Regional Fire Authority.