Arrest made in series of downtown fires
Authorities say there is no evidence to suggest blazes were politically motivated
HOLLISTER >> A 21-year- old man has been arrested on suspicion of arson in connection with a series of fires that destroyed a number of businesses in downtown Hollister early Monday, police said.
The investigation is continuing, but police said there is no evidence the blazes were politically motivated.
Firefighters were initially called to McCray Street near Santa Ana Road about 2 a.m. for a report of a car fire. Minutes later, a second car fire was reported on Second Street near Sally Street. A third fire was reported at the Cheung Sheng restaurant on Sixth Street, and a fourth fire was reported at a commercial building at Fifth and East streets.
In a news release, Hollister Police Department Sgt. Don Pershall said that firefighters arrived to find the buildings engulfed in flames.
Firefighters worked to try to put out the flames and keep them from spreading to other buildings, but “the commercial fires were total losses and up to 10 businesses were destroyed or affected in some manner,” Pershall said.
Around the same time, police received reports of slashed car tires on West Graf Road and the area where the car fires were reported.
“Officers are investigating these vandalisms and believe they may be connected to the fires,” Pershall said.
Officers reviewed surveillance video and observed what appeared to be the same vehicle at two of the blazes, said interim Police Chief Carlos Reynoso in a follow-up news release. Other officers also recognized the vehicle as being associated with someone they recently had contact with and developed potential suspect leads.
Around noon, detectives found the suspect vehicle parked near the 200 block of San Benito Street. Reynoso said the suspect was stopped and detained about two hours later when he tried to leave the area in a different vehicle. The suspect vehicle was impounded and a search warrant was served at the suspect’s residence.
Reynoso said the suspect was arrested and booked into San Benito County jail on arson charges. His bail has been set at $1,000,004.