Lemoore detectives arrest Oroville man on charges of arson

The victim, who lives at the home, reported that she arrived at her house at about 6:00 a.m. and noticed her ex-boyfriend, 45-year-old Andy Findlay of Oroville, walking away from her house and toward his truck, which was parked about one block away.

The victim described Findlay as a very possessive and jealous boyfriend. Michelle felt it was odd behavior for him to be walking away from her residence since they were no longer dating and since he does not live in Lemoore. She also thought it was odd that he did not look at her or question her about where she had been.

Due to Findlay’s behavior, the victim became frightened and hurried to her home, where she noticed her front door was shut but unlocked. As she entered the home she could hear the smoke detectors sounding within the house and she could smell smoke. When she went into the house she noticed a fire underneath the entertainment center in her living room.

The victim quickly ran to check on her 18-year-old son and found him sleeping in her bed and woke him up. She and her son were then able to extinguish the fire and exit the house safely. The victim called the Lemoore Police Department after noticing that Findlay was no longer in the area.

Findlay called the victim later and said he was in Manteca, California. During the telephone conversation she confronted Findlay about this incident and he eventually admitted to being at her house and setting the fire while her son was asleep. He also told her that he had planned on going back to put the fire out but noticed her returning home and knew she would be able to put the fire out.

Lemoore detectives were able to obtain a warrant for Findlay's arrest and on August 28, he was arrested in Gridley, after Lemoore detectives received information that he may be at a relative’s home.