Police Say They Have Serial Arsonist In Custody

WALNUT CREEK, CA — Contra Costa County Fire officials say the man they believe to be responsible for a series of vehicle fires in recent weeks throughout the area is under arrest, according to a post on their Facebook page.

Just before 1 a.m. Saturday, police officers saw a 36-year-old man appear to set fire to a vehicle in a driveway in a residential area of Benicia. Police say they stopped him a short distance away, and he was taken to the Concord Police Department without incident. The suspect — whose name is being withheld pending further investigation — is being booked on 43 different arson charges, and his bail is set at over $3.1 million.

Related: Suspected Serial Arsonist Strikes Again

Contra Costa County Fire Investigators worked in cooperation with a Deputy District Attorney from the Contra Costa County DA’s office, Contra Costa County DA Investigators, The California Highway Patrol, Lafayette Police Department, and Concord Police Department to make the arrest.

Anyone who may have additional information about this case should call the Arson Tip Line for Contra Costa County Fire at 1-866-50-ARSON.

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