Photo, Video of La Jolla Arson Suspect Released; Law Enforecement Offers Up Reward

San Diego County Crime Stoppers and investigators from the Metro Arson Strike Team (MAST) are asking for assistance from the public to help identify and locate an unknown female suspect wanted for arson in La Jolla.

On Dec. 3, 2013, two fires occurred at UCSD’s Price Center. At the time of the fires the center was occupied by several hundred students.  

Surveillance video gathered from the scene revealed two female suspects entering the Price Center. Shortly after entering the Price Center, the suspects started a fire on the first level and fled the location.  

A separate camera captured the suspects re-entering the Price Center on the second level wearing different clothing. Once again the suspects started another fire with an open flame and fled the scene. 

The flames were extinguished by UCSD Staff and no injuries were reported.

In a follow up investigation, detectives identified UCSD student Hoai Vi Holly Thuy Nguyen as one of the suspects responsible for the arsons. On Feb. 4, 2014, at approximately 12:45 p.m., Nguyen was contacted and arrested on campus for the above arsons.

The second female suspect has yet to be identified.

Anyone with information on this case should call the Crime Stoppers anonymous tip line at (888) 580-8477. Crime Stoppers is offering up to a $1,000 reward to anyone with information that leads to an arrest in this case. The felony arson restricted reward fund offers up to an additional $9,000 reward to anyone with information that leads to an arrest and conviction in this case. Anonymous email and text messages can be sent in via sdcrimestoppers.com.

—San Diego County Crime Stoppers Law Enforcement Task Force