Valley Springs Man Allegedly Burned Down Neighbor’s House

Valley Springs, Ca — A Valley Springs man faces charges of arson and extortion for his alleged role in a residential fire late last week.

Just after midnight on January 25, Calaveras County Sheriff´s Department investigators were summoned to 3328 Lazer Court in the Valley Springs area.

The Sheriff´s Department says that a neighbor, David Allen Thomas, later told the homeowner that he burned down the house as a favor to get the victim out of a financial situation. Thomas has also allegedly attempted to extort money from the victim in return for burning the house and relieving the homeowner of the financial obligation.

Sheriff´s Detectives say that they have conducted surveillance and collected evidence related to the crimes. Thomas has been arrested and charged with arson and attempted extortion. He is being held on $90,000 bail in Calaveras County Jail.

Written by BJ Hansen