Press release posted 11/20/12 – In October of 2011 two suspicious fires occurred at a residence in the 200 block of West Mariposa Avenue. Through the diligent work of Sierra Madre Police Officers and members of the Sierra Madre Fire Department Michael and Suanne Ellis were identified as being responsible for those fires.
Police Chief Giannone said, “The teamwork of both Police and Fire Department Investigators led to the identification of property owners Michael and Suanne Ellis, who started the fires on their own property and then collected money from their insurance company for the damages.”
This was a very tedious year–long investigation.Sergeant Joe Ortiz, Detective Lorena Gonzales, and Fire Captain Rich Snyder are to be commended for their persistence in this case. Giannone said, “They presented a very strong case to the District Attorney’s Office who ultimately filed two felony counts each on the Ellis’.”
Michael and Suanne Ellis were taken into custody at their home, without incident, and were booked at the Pasadena Jail. They both remain in custody and arebeing held on fifty thousand dollar bail each.