The Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office is looking for more information following a fire police deemed “suspicious” at a Milwaukie fourplex Tuesday.
At 1:45 p.m. deputies responded to the 14400 block of Southeast Lee Avenue in Milwaukie after a call about two men fighting outside.
The men described in the fight were believed to be James Rodney Dement Sr. and Justin Jimmy Hawkins, who were reported to be “squatting” in a unit of the fourplex located on that block, according to deputies.
Dement Sr. had a warrant for his arrest issued on Feb. 2 for probation violations.
After trying to make contact with both men about the reported fight, deputies cleared the scene. Then at 3:55 p.m., crews were dispatched to reports of a fire at the same fourplex.
Fortunately, no one was injured in the fire, which spread to another unit. Deputies were also called to the scene due to its suspicious nature, police said.
After talking with witnesses in the area, deputies located Dement inside his relative’s unit in the same fourplex. He was taken into custody on a felony warrant and is currently being held without bail in the Clackamas County Jail.
Police believe the fire was started in the unit occupied by Dement and Hawkins. Authorities are now trying to determine their involvement in the fight and the fire that occurred later on Tuesday.
Anyone with information about possible criminal activity by Dement or Hawkins on Feb. 2 is urged to contact the Sheriff’s Office tip line or call 503-723-4949.
