Roadside arson attempt leads to arrest of Walla Walla man near La Grande
By Garrett Christensen on Tuesday, February 27th, 2024 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories Northeastern Oregon News
LA GRANDE – On Friday, February 23, Eduardo Saldana Villegas (M-37) of Walla Walla was arrested by the Oregon State Police after being observed lighting grass fires along I-84 near La Grande. The situation escalated after Villegas refused to cooperate with the police and attempted to flee, before setting fire to his own vehicle. The incident took place at approximately 3:50 p.m. along I-84 Westbound near milepost 267, roughly five miles southeast of La Grande. The full description of the incident, as written in the OSP press log, is as follows:
“On stated time, date, and location I observed a male suspect light several grass fires. When we contacted with the suspect at the third fire, he failed to obey police commands and tried to drive away from the scene. The suspect’s vehicle got pinned in by police vehicle and was not able to drive away, after the vehicle was pinned in the suspect set the inside of his vehicle on fire. After a short stand off the suspect exited the vehicle and then resisted arrest. After a short altercation the suspect was taken into custody. The suspect was cleared by EMS and then transported to Union County Correction Facility where he was lodged on multiple charges. The suspect’s vehicle was towed by Wagon tire towing and the OSP K9 vehicle was towed by Fenn’s towing.”
In total, Villegas was charged with Arson 1, Reckless Burning, Disorderly Conduct 1, Resist Arrest, and Criminal Mischief 1. Unofficial reports claim Villegas may have had a dog inside his vehicle that fled the area after he exited his vehicle.
