Arson Suspect Arrested For Attempted Murder, Rape, Kidnapping: Police

VALLEJO, CA — A registered sex offender out on parole in Vallejo was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, sexual assault, and other crimes, police said Saturday.

On May 10 just before 6:30 a.m., officers and the Vallejo Fire Department arrived at a fire beneath the Lincoln Road East overpass near Solano Avenue. There they discovered a man suffering from severe burns. He was taken to the hospital with life-threatening injuries but survived.

An arson investigator concluded that the fire had been intentionally set and the crime was deemed attempted murder by police.

In the course of the investigation, detectives identified another victim. A woman came forward and said she had been forcibly taken and held against her will during the same time frame as the fire. She said she was attacked, forced to take narcotics and was sexually assaulted by the suspect responsible for the arson.

Police identified Joshua Anderson, 39, as the suspect in this case and discovered that he was a registered sex offender out on parole for a domestic violence conviction. Anderson had two outstanding warrants out for violating his parole, police said.

On Saturday just before 11 a.m., officers found Anderson at a homeless encampment near 330 Avian Drive and arrested him.

Anderson was booked into county jail on suspicion of attempted murder, aggravated mayhem, kidnapping, rape, domestic violence and assault with a deadly weapon. He is being held without bail.

By Katy St. Clair / Bay City News

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