On Wednesday, June 12, 2024, at approximately 10:38 AM, Sausalito Police and Marin County Fire responded to a brush fire near Bridgeway at Marinship Way. Firefighters quickly extinguished the fire upon arrival.
About 20 minutes later, emergency personnel received a report of a small trashcan fire at Sausalito Yacht Harbor. Sausalito Police and Marin County firefighters responded, determined no evacuations were needed, and extinguished the fire. Officers began searching the area and collecting evidence for potential arson due to the close proximity and timing of the two fires.
Approximately 30 minutes later, another report of a small fire came in from the area of Second
Street at Sausalito Boulevard.
With reports of fires moving southward, concerns grew that someone might be intentionally setting them.
Upon arriving at the third location, officers and Southern Marin Fire personnel located a green waste bag on fire in a carport. While
extinguishing this fire, they were alerted to a fourth fire on Alexander Avenue near East Road,
which was rapidly spreading due to strong wind gusts.
Sausalito Police officers patrolled south on Alexander Avenue for a possible arson suspect while
Southern Marin Fire tended to the brush fire. Minutes later, Lieutenant Mather observed a person
on a bike heading south on the Sausalito Lateral. Recognizing the individual from prior
encounters, Lieutenant Mather stopped and questioned the suspect, who made incriminating
statements and was found with evidence of arson.
The suspect, a 59-year-old male, was subsequently arrested for several counts of arson by the
Sausalito Police Department and booked into the Marin County jail. His bail is set at $50,000.
No injuries were reported, and no structures were damaged as a result of these fires. The
Sausalito Police Department extends its gratitude to the citizens who reported these incidents and
to our partners at Southern Marin Fire and Marin County Fire for their swift response and
assistance. The investigation is ongoing, and anyone with additional information is encouraged
to contact the Sausalito Police Department at 415-289-4170.
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