SAN DIEGO — Authorities in San Diego County have taken into custody a 48-year-old man, Allen Dinoyo, under suspicion of orchestrating a series of wildfires throughout the East County area last month. Dinoyo, who was already under probation for a prior violent offense, faces nine felony arson charges linked to the fires.
Investigators from CalFire believe Dinoyo was responsible for initiating blazes in various locations including Jamul, Rancho San Diego, Dehesa, La Mesa, and San Diego during November. The most significant of these, referred to as the Millar Fire, occurred on November 20 and necessitated evacuations in Rancho San Diego, although no structural damage was reported.
Cal Fire Captain Mike Cornette explained that the process of determining the exact causes of these fires involves meticulous inspection of the origins and potential ignition sources, ensuring accuracy in their final report. However, the agency has not yet disclosed specifics on the methodologies used to ignite the fires.
The string of arson cases is not Dinoyo’s first encounter with law enforcement. Court documents reveal his criminal history, including a severe assault in 2021. In that incident, Dinoyo violently attacked a 73-year-old man, Phil Rager, using a skateboard as a weapon. The assault, which nearly resulted in Rager’s death, occurred without provocation while Rager was riding his bike near Midway and Sports Arena Boulevard. Rager recalled defending himself from a potentially fatal blow to the face, which resulted in a severe arm injury.
Rager expressed disbelief over the motiveless attack, emphasizing the increasing dangers posed by individuals wielding items like skateboards not for sport, but as weapons. During Dinoyo’s sentencing for this assault, the judge had stipulated an 8-year prison term should he violate the terms of his probation.
Further complicating Dinoyo’s troubled history, his mother had filed a restraining order against him in 2021, citing violent behavior exacerbated by drug use, particularly methamphetamine, and underlying mental health issues. The restraining order required Dinoyo to vacate his mother’s residence in Spring Valley.
With his recent arrest, Dinoyo is scheduled for arraignment on the current arson charges. The hearing is set for Wednesday afternoon in an East County court, where the legal outcomes of his latest alleged offenses will begin to unfold.
The incidents have heightened awareness and concerns regarding fire safety and law enforcement’s ongoing efforts to manage and mitigate arson-related activities, especially given the extensive damage and danger wildfires pose in California. The community and authorities remain vigilant, hoping for swift justice and measures to prevent future incidents.