Suspected Serial Arsonist In Custody For Several Downtown Klamath Falls Fires

KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. — Klamath Falls Police investigating a series of fires that broke out downtown last week arrested 35-year-old Preston Helgesen in connection with the fires.

Klamath Falls Police Department officers responded to a report of a dumpster fire in an alley near 200 Main Street just after 5:45 a.m. on Oct. 13, extinguishing the fire without further damage to the surrounding area.

During their investigation, the officers received a physical description of the suspect from witnesses and surveillance cameras in the area.

While police were searching the area for the suspect, they received additional reports of fires in the downtown corridor- the Klamath County Fire District extinguished one fire in the alley near 400 Main Street, followed by a fire in the alley behind a church in the 600 block of Pine Street that responders also extinguished.

Within minutes of the last fire, Klamath Falls Police found the suspect, Preston Helgesen. He was arrested in connection with the fires and lodged in the Klamath County Jail. Helgesen faces charges including arson, reckless burning, and criminal mischief.