CLEARLAKE – The Clearlake Police Department made four arrests early Tuesday morning in connection with a series of arsons that took place during the previous night.

At least one of the subjects who was arrested is believed to be involved with a series of arsons around the city that have happened over the last several weeks, according to Lt. Mike Hermann.

Hermann said Jessie Patrick Meshreky and Robert Tyrrell Towns, both 18, and two juveniles – a 17-year-old male and a 16-year-old female – were arrested at 2 a.m. Tuesday on multiple arson counts for numerous fires they are alleged to have set in the hours beforehand.

The fires started Monday at approximately 11:52 p.m., Hermann said.

Lake County Fire Protection District personnel were dispatched to a field behind Pomo Elementary School where they found three separate fires involving an abandoned car, a mattress and vegetation, Hermann said.

He said two additional vegetation fires were discovered by officers at 12:30 a.m. behind the Calvary Baptist Church on Memory Lane.

A third vegetation fire was reported at 1:31 a.m. in the old Austin Resort. Hermann said a witness to the last fire called police and reported seeing several subject running from the location and laughing.

Officers quickly got on scene and located Meshreky, Towns and the two juveniles a short distance away, said Hermann.

All four are alleged to have admitted their involvement in setting the fire, but Hermann said they didn't give reasons for setting the blazes.

Hermann said police believe at least one of the four has been involved in fires set over the last several weeks behind Ray's Food Place and in the avenues.

“They're setting a lot of small spot fires,” Hermann said.

The Lake County Arson Task Force is taking part in the investigation, said Hermann. Officer Michael Ray is Clearlake Police's task force member.

Hermann said Meshreky and Towns were booked into the Lake County Jail on felony charges, with bail for both set at $25,000. They remained in custody Tuesday night, according to jail records.

The juveniles were booked into Juvenile Hall, Hermann said.

Hermann said police don't yet have an estimated cost of damages.

Anyone with additional information on this case or the previous arsons is asked to contact Officer Mike Ray at 707-994-8251.

E-mail Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .