ENCINITAS, Calif. (KGTV) - A man accused of setting fire to a church and school in Encinitas last year was arrested Wednesday.
Tyler Carender, 20, was arrested on federal malicious damage charges for a series of October 2016 fires to buildings at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church and Oak Crest Middle School on Balour Drive, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Southern District.
Carender lived near the two locations.
Authorities said Carender began an arson spree on Oct. 22, 2016, by setting fire to the Friendship House Counseling and Youth Center building at St. Andrew's. Encinitas firefighters were able to contain the fire, which resulted in $200,000 in damages to the building, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Southern District, said.
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A week later, authorities said Carender set fire to the administration building at Oak Crest Middle School. The fire caused the roof and ceiling of the building to partially collapse, resulting in about $300,000 in damages.
Then two weeks later on Nov. 12, the Attorney's Office said Carender used a "molotov cocktail" to set fire to a preschool building at St. Andrew's. That fire was contained to the building as well and caused about $34,000 in damages.
Carender appeared before a judge Wednesday and is next scheduled to appear in court on July 11 for a bail/detention hearing. He could face up to 60 years in prison if convicted.
