Vandalism occurred at a local restaurant this week, during a time that is already challenging enough in the industry. The pandemic has negatively affected several restaurants in the area with closures and a new order was passed throughout California that prohibits restaurants from serving outdoors with a new stay at home order.

Deputies responded to the reports of a person lighting the Cool Hand Luke’s outdoor dining structure on fire on Tuesday a little after midnight.

Shortly thereafter deputies located a man identified as Nicholas Valasquez digging through trash in front of Galaxy Theaters. Valasquez admitted to starting the fire for warmth. A records check indicated he had a felony warrant out of Tulare County for burglary. He was arrested for arson and the warrant. The structure fire was quickly extinguished by the fire department. The fire consumed a corner of the tarped structure.