Lookout Staff

February 15, 2010 -- A Santa Monica man was convicted of arson last month for intentionally setting fire to his vehicle last March in an attempt to collect payment from his insurance.

Sidney Porter burned his 2006 Dodge Magnum on the 1100 block of 9th Street on March 6, 2009, at 1:45 a.m.

"Santa Monica Fire Department personnel responded to put out the blaze and concluded that the fire was an act of arson," said Sgt. Jay Trisler, the Police department spokesman.

Evidence collected on the scene by police was passed on to detectives, who traced the fire back to the vehicle's owner after an extensive follow up.

Porter was convicted on one count of arson on January 13, 2010, for intentionally setting fire to his vehicle, Trisler said. He was sentenced to three years in state prison.

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