Man accused of Chandler arson still has court dates ahead

By Jason W. Brooks
Mail | X: @JasonWBrooks2

A report on a man who Chandler Police sought for about one week last spring on arson charges is due next week.

A psychologist’s progress report on Oscar M. Sanchez, 61, stating whether he can be restored to mental competency within 21 months. He was ruled incompetent in August after three mental health professionals examined him over the summer.

Sanchez was initially charged with arson and endangerment — both felonies — along with a misdemeanor violation of a Gilbert Municipal Court order a — when he was arrested in mid-May.

That arrest happened after a May 4 incident in which Sanchez allegedly set fire to a family’s north Chandler home while there were people inside.

Chandler Police reported five people were inside the home, including three people who had orders of protection against Sanchez. Sanchez then allegely fled from the home, located near Country Club Drive and Guadalupe Road.

One person suffered smoke inhalation during the fire, Chandler Police reported.

Chandler Police soon published photos of Sanchez and that he was a person of interest, and he was taken into custody by May 16 by the the Phoenix Police Department.

Chandler Police thanked the public for their tips and credited “interagency teamwork” as a factor in getting Sanchez in custody.

Sanchez has an extensive criminal-court history, though it isn’t clear exactly what he’s been convicted of, or how many times.

A Superior Court judge ordered the psychologist to start what Maricopa County calls its Restorattion to Competency, or RTC, program with Sanchez on Aug. 12.

The judge’s order includes the provision Sanchez is to be held without bond “for Rule 11 purposes” pending a further order from the court.

Jason W. Brooks can be reached at jbrooks@iniusa.org.  Please submit comments at yourvalley.net/letters or email them to AzOpinions@iniusa.org. We are committed to publishing a wide variety of reader opinions, as long as they meet our  Civility Guidelines.

INDEPENDENT NEWSMEDIA

Jason W. Brooks
News Editor | Chandler Independent

Jason W. Brooks joined Independent Newsmedia, Inc., USA, in July 2021 as an associate editor. After a year covering Buckeye, he has covered Chandler since the fall of 2022, in addition to assisting the Daily Independent throughout his time at INI.

Education: University of New Mexico, bachelor of arts in journalism and mass communication, print emphasis, English minor.

Random Fact: He and his siblings witnessed a Space Shuttle launch and landing in the same year in person, on opposite coasts.

Hobbies: Karaoke, bicycling and American Sign Language.

Community: He supports animal shelters.