KEARNS, Utah, March 4, 2019 (Gephardt Daily) — A West Jordan woman was charged Monday with two counts of second-degree felony arson after she allegedly set two cars on fire outside her ex-boyfriend’s house in Kearns.
A probable cause statement from the 3rd District Court in Salt Lake County said Jessica Halee Wright, 27, has been booked into Salt Lake County Jail with her bail set at $20,000.
The probable cause statement said Unified Fire Authority crews responded to an address in the area of 5000 W. Longmore Drive in Kearns on Feb. 22.
“During the investigation we found several nearby homes with surveillance cameras,” the statement said. “Three different camera views showed a Honda Odyssey stop to the east of the above address and a female exit the van. The video shows the female walk west along Longmore Drive to the above address with a small gas can in her left hand.”
The female poured an “unknown ignitable liquid” onto an SUV in the driveway, then ignited the liquid with an “unknown ignition source,” the statement said.
“She then proceeds to another small passenger car parked in the street and video shows the female pour an unknown liquid from the gas can onto the passenger car,” the statement said. “Shortly after she ignites the liquid and she continues west on Longmore Drive to the Honda Odyssey now parked west of the address.”
The video was shown to the victims and three of the victims positively identified the Honda Odyssey as belonging to Jessica Wright. The victims were able to identify Wright because she was a past girlfriend of the victim’s son, the statement said.
Wright was located by officials and she stated in an interview that she is the only person who drives this vehicle and she had it on Monday, Feb. 22. Wright requested a lawyer at that time and no further questions were asked of her.
Another registered owner, identified as Michael Wright, told the arresting officer where he could locate the Honda Odyssey. Upon finding the Honda Odyssey, officials were able to find several dents and vehicle imperfections that matched the vehicle in the video.
The victims who positively identified Wright filled out and signed witness statements.
Both vehicles sustained major fire damages and damages to each vehicle amounted to more than $5,000; hence the second-degree felony charges.
I would investigate the owner of the SUV because I am sure that insurance fraud might play into this. I know for a fact the owner of the SUV cannot afford payments. And insurance. Just totalled a impala few months ago. Insurance company is after him. The house, the garage caught on fire. The women who are or where staying there are foreclosure, something like that. I know there is something more to this than simply a girl going after her ex-boyfriend. Too convenient.