On August 4 at 12:42 a.m., Deputy Noel responded to an arson call in the 31600 block of Saddle Ridge Drive in Lake Elsinore. Witnesses advised James Tinghitella, 38, of Lake Elsinore set fire to the victim’s property in the backyard of a residence.
Tinghitella was taken into custody without incident. Per the Riverside County Temporary Emergency Bail Schedule, the crime of arson of property is classified as $0, which would allow Tinghitella to be immediately released from jail.
Due to the threat to public safety caused by arson, Deputy Noel sought a bail increase, per 1269 of the Penal Code. Judge Sykes approved the bail increase and Tinghitella’s bail was set at $100,000. His court date is set for September 11, according to jail records.
The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department is asking anyone with additional information to contact Deputy Noel at 951-245-3300.
