TOOELE, Utah, Sept. 15, 2025 (Gephardt Daily) — A Tooele man has been arrested for investigation of alleged arson after a Tooele City Police officer recognized him as he walked from the scene of a grass fire.
Police and fire officials were dispatched at about 4:30 p.m. Saturday to the area behind 1182 N. 80 East, say arrest documents for 59-year-old Stephen Page May.
“As I looked over the fence, I observed an individual I recognized as Stephen May, walking to the south away from the fire and looking back at the fire,” says May’s arrest document, filed by an officer of the Tooele City Police Department.
“I went to the area of 40 Flinders St. to look for Stephen and located him in the field behind the business, watching the fire. I spoke with Stephen by my car asking him how the fire started.
“After a short conversation Stephen stated that he started the original fire on purpose.”
Photo: Tooele City Fire
May was booked Saturday into the Tooele County jail for investigation of arson, property of another, endangers a human life, a third-degree felony.
The arrest document also noted that the Air Med helipad borders the field and Air Med had to be shut down because of the fire.
Photo: Tooele City Fire
Our House Assisted Living of Tooele (251 E. 1000 North) also borders the field, “and some elderly individuals had to leave with family due to the health risk from the smoke.”
May was ordered held without bail.
Photo: Tooele City Fire
