San Diego, CA — Authorities arrested a 48-year-old man, Allen Dinoyo, on charges of igniting multiple wildfires across several communities in East County last November. Dinoyo, who was on probation following a prior conviction for a violent assault, faces nine counts of felony arson for his alleged involvement in these incidents.
In the course of November, fires attributed to Dinoyo erupted in various locales including Jamul, Rancho San Diego, Dehesa, La Mesa, and San Diego. The Millar Fire, triggered on November 20 in Rancho San Diego, was particularly notable. While it forced numerous evacuations, fortunate circumstances and timely responses prevented damage to structures.
Details on the methods used to start the fires remain undisclosed by Cal Fire. Captain Mike Cornette of Cal Fire emphasized the meticulous investigative approach necessary to determine fire origins and causes, ensuring thoroughness and accuracy in their findings.
Court documents indicate that prior to these events, Dinoyo had a violent history. In 2021, he pleaded guilty to assaulting a 73-year-old man with a skateboard, an attack so severe it nearly ended the man’s life. The victim, Phil Rager, recounted the episode, noting the brutality and apparent lack of motive. He suffered critical injuries during the assault which occurred while he was bicycling.
The severity of the prior assault had led to a stringent probation term for Dinoyo, under which he would face eight years in prison if found in violation. The assault incident painted a grim portrait of the potential danger inherent in seemingly mundane objects like skateboards when misused.
Further complicating the backdrop against which these arson charges have arisen are familial troubles highlighted in 2021, when Dinoyo’s mother obtained a restraining order against him due to his erratic and violent behavior exacerbated, she claimed, by drug use and mental health issues.
As Dinoyo prepares for his court arraignment on the arson allegations later this week, the community remains on alert. The repeated instances of wildfire, coming amid Dinoyo’s fraught personal circumstances and contentious history, underscore the broader challenges of addressing mental health and criminal recidivism within public safety frameworks.
These events contribute to ongoing discussions about the adequacy of probation measures and the rehabilitative processes necessary to prevent recidivism, particularly among individuals displaying violent tendencies complicated by substance abuse and mental health disorders. As the case progresses, it may serve as a critical reference point for evaluating and potentially reforming local judicial and public safety strategies.