WASHINGTON PARISH – The State Fire Marshal’s Office (SFM), in partnership with several law enforcement agencies, has arrested a Franklinton man on multiple charges associated with setting his ex-girlfriend’s mobile home on fire.

Olvin Lopez, 36, was booked into the Washington Parish Jail on Friday, March 24, on one count each of Simple Arson, Felony Stalking, and Unlawful Communications.

In the morning hours of Sunday, March 5, Washington Parish Fire District #2 responded to a report of a mobile home fire located in the 42000 block of Highway 16 in Franklinton. Firefighters learned the mobile home was unoccupied at the time of the fire, and due to suspicious circumstances, the SFM was called to investigate further.

Following an assessment of the scene and conducting witness statements, SFM deputies determined the fire was intentionally set. During the investigation, deputies learned that the owner of the mobile home had recently ended a relationship with Lopez, and since that time, had been receiving threats from Lopez. After additional investigative efforts, Lopez, who was on probation for a previous conviction, was confirmed as a suspect in the case and a warrant was obtained for his arrest on Thursday, March 23.

When SFM deputies arrived at Lopez’s location, he ran into a nearby wooded area. Just after midnight on March 24, with assistance from the Franklinton Police Department drone team and the B.B. Rayburn Correctional Center K-9 team, Lopez was located hiding in a creek and taken into custody.

The SFM would like to thank all of its law enforcement partners, including the Washington Parish Sheriff’s Office and Office of Probation and Parole, as well as members of the public, for the successful and safe closure of this case.