Paul Child encountered a stranger near his Washington home close to railway tracks, noticing unusual behavior. Shortly after, he saw smoke in the area. This led to events that helped police identify a suspected arsonist. Officers evacuated Child’s family and brought them to identify a man detained nearby. Bodycam footage showed authorities discussing a discovery of matches found with the suspect.
Aaron F. Farinacci was arrested initially on suspicion of arson related to the Old Trails Fire in eastern Washington. Child and two young witnesses positively identified the suspect during a field showup. While Child was not initially informed about the matches found in a fanny pack, they identified Farinacci, who was later arrested again after being released temporarily.
Witnesses said the stranger’s behavior seemed suspicious, with Child noticing him pacing and crouching in the bushes. When Child returned home, he witnessed smoke emerging half a mile away. Police bodycam footage showed smoke as an officer discussed evacuation with Child’s family.
A field showup procedure led to the identification of Farinacci, who was in custody but initially released. Later, authorities charged him with arson after he was said to have admitted setting several fires.
Farinacci faced increased bail from $1 million to $2 million, facing additional arson charges. He allegedly used weather apps to find ideal conditions for fires, incorporating a delayed ignition device in his methods. Despite denying involvement initially, Farinacci allegedly confessed to planning the Old Trails Fire for two weeks.
In response to the wildfire, Child and his family gathered their belongings and pets, preparing for evacuation. The fire came within a quarter-mile of Child’s property. Reflecting on the incident, Child acknowledged that while he couldn’t stop the fires, he contributed to the suspect’s capture.
Reporter Emma Bussey contributed to this report.