Crime & Safety

Man Gets Nearly 6 Years Of Prison Time For 2019 San Mateo Arsons

The 22-year-old San Mateo resident pleaded no contest to felony arson charges after three arson attempts in downtown San Mateo in 2019.

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Cristerna was on probation after previous arson attempts in March 2019. He received credit for more than four years of time served.
Cristerna was on probation after previous arson attempts in March 2019. He received credit for more than four years of time served. (Renee Schiavone/Patch)

SAN MATEO, CA — A San Mateo man was sentenced Tuesday to nearly six years in prison for three arson attempts in downtown San Mateo in 2019.

Carlos Cristerna, 22, pleaded no contest to felony arson charges. On Nov. 16, 2019, Cristerna set a trash can on fire at the San Mateo Caltrain Station, then set a pallet of cardboard on fire at a nearby market, according to prosecutors.

Three days later, prosecutors said Cristerna set a mop on fire in the San Mateo Central Parking Garage.

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Cristerna was on probation after previous arson attempts in March 2019. He received credit for more than four years of time served.

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