CA Teen Detained After Setting Fires
Source The Marin Independent Journal, Novato, Calif. (TNS)
A 13-year-old San Rafael boy was arrested on suspicion of felony arson after several fires were set over a two-day period in east San Rafael.
A Tuesday afternoon brush fire between Manderly Road, Main Drive and West Castlewood Drive began a series of four fires in the area and eventually led San Rafael fire officials to detain the juvenile Wednesday. The suspect’s identity was not released because he is under age 18.
Witnesses described seeing the boy, riding a bicycle, leave the scene of a brush fire near Inverness Drive early Wednesday.
On Wednesday afternoon, another fire was sparked behind San Pedro Elementary School. Witnesses again reported seeing the boy on a bicycle leaving the area before the fire started, police said.
An hour later, he was seen near another fire in a neighborhood close to Bayview Drive.
The suspect, who matched a description from the two earlier fires, was at the scene. Firefighters detained the boy and San Rafael police took him into custody.
Investigators linked the boy to all fires in the area, according to police. The suspect was booked into Marin County Juvenile Hall.
San Rafael Fire Chief Chris Gray said the Tuesday fire scorched 6.6 acres.
“Less than 2 acres but more than an acre (burned Wednesday),” he said. “The fires were kept very small behind the school and on Bayview. The more significant one was earlier (Wednesday) morning. But they’re all very dangerous and serious fires.”
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