GRANTS PASS, Ore. -- Grants Pass Police Department says it's officers have arrested the suspect responsible for setting fire to Lincoln Elementary School. On January 14, 2023, at 1:38 AM, Grants Pass Police and Grants Pass Fire and Rescue responded to Lincoln Elementary School regarding a fire alarm.
The first arriving police officer located four outdoor propane heaters active and set on high. Two of the heaters were against a wooden wall of the school and had caused the wall to ignite. The police officer immediately extinguished the flames with a fire extinguisher to prevent further damage. Grants Pass Fire and Rescue arrived shortly after to ensure the fire had not spread further.
GPPD says surveillance video captured Quest Kellen Cougar Vanlohuizen, a 28-year-old man, moving the heaters and igniting them near the wooden wall. The video also showed Vanlohuizen ingesting suspected illicit drugs while in the same area. Vanlohuizen had fled the scene prior to the arrival of first responders.
On Friday morning, a Grants Pass Police Detective observed Vanlohuizen at the Josephine County Courthouse and arrested the suspect with the assistance of patrol officers. Vanlohuizen was transported to the Josephine County Jail where he was lodged for Reckless Burning, Second Degree Criminal Mischief, and Third Degree Theft.
