Boulder County Sheriff’s Office arrested an arson suspect from the fire that took place on the evening of July 4 in the 24000 block of Highway 7, between Lyons and Allenspark.

Assisted by tips received from the public in this case, investigators with the Boulder County Sheriff’s Office were able to positively identify a suspect and obtain a warrant for their arrest on August 1, 2024. The suspect was identified as Luke Dalton Rynearson (08/15/97). Shortly after Rynearson was identified as the suspect in the case, members of law enforcement mobilized to locate him and his vehicle. Rynearson and his vehicle were found in the Town of Castle Rock and members of law enforcement were able to take Rynearson into custody without incident.

Rynearson was booked and lodged at the Douglas County Jail with a $20,000 bond on the following charges:

• 18-4-1032 1st Degree Arson – Class 4 Felony

• 18-2-101 Criminal Attempt to Commit a Class 4 Felony – Class 5 Felony

• 18-4-203(1)(2)(d) 2nd Degree Burglary – Class 5 Felony

• 18-4-501(1)(4)(e) Criminal Mischief ($5,000-$19,999) – Class 5 Felony

Based on information known to investigators at this time, we have no reason to believe Rynearson or the arson in the 24000 block of Highway 7 on July 4 are connected to any of the wildfire starts that have taken place in Boulder County this week.

The previous press release about this incident can be found here: https://bouldercounty. gov/news/ updaterelease-version-2-boulder-countysheriffs office-seeks-publics-help-inarson-investigation/.

Law enforcement agencies who assisted with this investigation and capture of Rynearson include the Boulder County Sheriff’s Office, Castle Rock Police Department, and the Boulder County Drug Task Force.

The associated Boulder County Sheriff’s Office case number is: 24-03291.

As in every criminal case, charges are merely an accusation, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless or until proven guilty.