Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station deputies Wednesday confirmed two arrests connected to their investigation into an April 28 explosion in Plum Canyon, after a student was seen being taken into custody on the Valencia High School campus before 10 a.m.
“Search warrants were authored and served consecutively this morning by (L.A. County Sheriff’s Department Arson and Explosives Detail and the SCV Sheriff’s Station Juveniles and Gangs team),” read a text message Wednesday from Deputy Robert Jensen, spokesman for the SCV Sheriff’s Station. “An 18-year-old male was arrested and transported to the SCV Station jail and remains in custody at this time.”
Sheriff’s Department records indicate Cameron Tucker, 18, of Valencia, was arrested on suspicion of arson at 10 a.m. and booked at the station 24 minutes later. Custody records with the Sheriff’s Department indicate he has a court date Friday. He was being held in lieu of $75,000 bail as of the publication of this story.
The Signal first became aware of the arrests after a student was taken into custody on the Valencia High School campus shortly before 10 a.m.
In his text message, Jensen wrote the arrests were the result of “multiple leads” that helped them identify “a suspect and a subject” in the “big boom on social media.”
An explosion briefly sparked a brush fire behind residents’ homes on April 28, according to fire officials, who reported it was out minutes later.
But the scare prompted the residents in the neighborhood to go to a May 7 City Council meeting to share their frustration over the explosion in Plum Canyon Park. They said fireworks have been an issue in that area for the past several years, especially around the holidays, and last month, the perpetrators went too far.
The identity of the other student arrested, who is 17 years old, was not released because he is a minor.
Jensen said the teen was issued a citation with a pending court date and released to his parents.
There was no additional information released regarding the investigation and detectives with the Arson and Explosives Unit were not immediately available. Witnesses on campus said there was no apparent disruption to classroom activity.
Valencia High Principal Kullen Welch sent out an alert to the school community shortly after 10:30 a.m., while the school was holding a celebration for some of its student-athletes who were announcing their college choices:
“I want to inform you that there was a police presence on campus this morning due to an investigation related to an off-campus incident,” the email read. “Please rest assured that there is no threat to our school community, and the campus remains safe. School is proceeding as usual, and we even had the pleasure of celebrating our outstanding student-athletes during a special signing day event at brunch. Thank you for your continued support.”
James Kilton, one of the residents impacted by the explosion, expressed gratitude to the Sheriff’s Department for its investigation into the fireworks.
Jensen used the incident as a reminder for residents: “As the Fourth of July approaches, the Sheriff’s Department reminds the public that the use, possession or manufacture of illegal explosive devices is not only dangerous, but also a serious crime,” he wrote in an email Wednesday evening. “What may seem like ‘just for fun’ can have life-altering consequences.”
The two suspects are facing charges under California Penal Code section 451(c), arson of structure or forest land, and California Health and Safety Code section 12305, illegal possession of explosives, he said.
“We encourage residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity. Tips can be submitted anonymously through L.A. Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or at lacrimestoppers.org. The safety of our community remains our top priority, and we will continue to work closely with city officials, county partners, and residents to hold those accountable who put others at risk.”
