The Sausalito Police arrested a suspected arsonist after a series of four fires were set along the Bridgeway corridor beginning at approximately 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, June 12.
The arsonist moved in a southerly direction, setting fires in grass near the intersection of Bridgeway and Marinship Way, in a trash receptacle on the boardwalk of Sausalito Yacht Harbor, in a carport near the intersection of Second Street and South Street, and in brush alongside Alexander Avenue.
First responders from Marin County Fire and Southern Marin Fire were able to quickly extinguish the blazes before they threatened nearby structures. No injuries were reported as a result of the fires.
While patrolling south on Alexander Avenue along the likely route of the arsonist, Lieutenant Brian Mather recognized an individual riding a red mountain bike and wearing a black sweatshirt and faded blue jeans. When stopped, the suspect made incriminating statements and was found with evidence of arson.
The individual in question, 59-year-old Nicholas Mejia of San Francisco, was arrested on multiple counts of arson and subsequently booked into the Marin County Jail. His bail was set at $50,000.
The fires are believed to have been set with a long-stemmed lighter of the type used to ignite a barbecue grill.
If you think you may have seen the suspect on the morning of June 12 — or if you live along the Bridgeway corridor and have a surveillance camera that captures footage of the roadway — please contact the Sausalito Police at (415) 289-4170.
The Sausalito Police Department extends its gratitude to the citizens who reported the fires and to its partners at Southern Marin Fire and Marin County Fire for their fast response on a day of increased wildfire threat due to wind.
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