Marin Arson Caused $300K In Property Damage: Cops

NOVATO, CA — An investigation of a series of commercial burglaries, arson and vandalism incidents led to the arrest of a San Mateo County man over the weekend, Novato police said Monday.

Conn Michael Prescott, 61, of Emerald Lake Hills (near Redwood City), was arrested Saturday on suspicion of arson, vandalism, burglary, and other charges, police said.

Prescott was taken to Marin County Jail and was being held on a $500,000 bail enhancement, police said.

The crimes caused about $300,000 in damage to the involved businesses, police said.

Officers responded around 5:45 a.m. Saturday to a report of a fire inside a business on Roblar Drive, police said.

Novato Fire Department personnel determined that a fire that activated the building’s sprinkler system was caused by arson, police said.

Officers searched the area and found a second location that had been burned and two SMART Train buildings on Roblar Drive vandalized, according to police.

Officers later that morning responded to a report of a person breaking into Crave Restaurant on Ignacio Boulevard, police said.

Witnesses reported a person damaging the front window, police said.

The person entered an adjacent dental office, where he caused additional property damage, police said.

Officers arrested Prescott after a brief foot pursuit, police said.

Police reviewed surveillance footage and matched Prescott to the person sought in connection with the Roblar Drive incidents, police said.