Rocklin, Calif.- 51 year old Hoyt Starkey, from Auburn, California was arrested and booked into the Placer County Jail on felony arson charge following a fire at the Howard Johnson Hotel investigation in Rocklin.
The Rocklin Police Department in conjunction with the Rocklin Fire Department began an investigation into two recent fires that occurred at Howard Johnsons Hotel, located at 4420 Rocklin Road.
During the investigation evidence was recovered that identified 51 year old Hoyt Starkey as the suspect. This fire caused only minor damage, however, was still a felony violation.
Starkey was taken into custody at a residence in Auburn on 08/28/2013 and booked into the Placer County Jail for Arson of an Inhabited Dwelling. He is being held on $150,000 bail.
Another fire was reported on 08/25/2013 when hotel room mattress caught on fire at the same Howard Johnson Hotel. This fire caused fire sprinklers to activate, causing an estimated $100,000 in damage to that room and ten other rooms in the hotel. Starkey is considered a person of interest in this case as well, and the investigation continues.