Ventura woman arrested in connection to multiple early morning fires

A Ventura woman was arrested on suspicion of arson after a witness reported seeing her start numerous fires in Ventura early Saturday morning.

Shortly after midnight, Ventura City Fire personnel responded to multiple fires throughout the city. The fires started in the area of Shenandoah Street and Portola Road.

At around 1:45 a.m., fire personnel and police officers received additional calls about more fires that had started near the 2500 block of Main Street.

At around 3:20 a.m., a citizen reported seeing a woman setting fire to a trash can and a shopping cart in the area of Ventura Avenue and Prospect Road. The citizen called police and followed the suspect northbound on Ventura Avenue.

When officers arrived on scene they found Elisabeth Hurtadovera, 37, of Ventura. Hurtadovera admitted to starting setting the fires but police said she claimed to have an excuse.

Hurtadovera was arrested and booked at Ventura County Jail in connection to the fires.