Suspect Arrested for Arson Near the Pasadena Humane Society

Pasadena police officers arrested a 45-year-old man for suspicion of arson after video footage from surveillance cameras appeared to show him starting a fire in a dumpster near South Fair Oaks Avenue on Tuesday, officials said.

Pasadena firefighters responded to the fire at about 11 a.m. and rapidly put the fire under control, but an initial investigation showed signs the fire was intentionally set.

Fire department Press Information Officer Lisa Derderian said an arson investigator contacted the Pasadena Humane Society, whose offices are near the site of the dumpster fire, for permission to view their video surveillance footage from four cameras covering the alley and dumpster.

“The investigator reviewed the footage … where a male white subject wearing blue jean pants, a long sleeve black t-shirt, and blue backpack, pulling a rolling suitcase, was observed walking up to the dumpster, placing both hands inside, and walking away,” Derderian said. “Smoke began to emerge from the dumpster approximately 90 seconds later.”

No other individual was seen at the dumpster during the time, Derderian said.

Arson investigators working with police located the suspect while canvassing the area, looking for the subject seen in the video.

Derderian said Harold Lee Doty Jr., 45, reportedly homeless, was wearing the same clothes as the man seen in the video and was in possession of a disposable lighter.

When interviewed, Doty admitted to being at the dumpster, but denied setting a fire.

Based on the investigation, the suspect was arrested for alleged violation of California’s arson laws.

Doty is scheduled for arraignment Thursday, April 14 at the Pasadena Courthouse, Derderian said.