SOLEDAD — A man was taken into custody Tuesday after allegedly setting multiple fires in Soledad, according to the Soledad Police Department.
At about 4:49 a.m. on Sept. 8, Soledad police officers responded to the area of H. De La Rosa and Front Street after a witness reported a person intentionally setting fire to bushes near local businesses, the department said in a news release.
The witness provided officers with a description of the suspect and reported that the individual had also attempted to start a second fire nearby.
Soledad Cal Fire personnel responded and extinguished the fire while officers searched the surrounding area for the suspect, police said.
During the search, officers received a separate report of another fire near Front Street and San Vicente Road. Officers and Cal Fire personnel responded to the location, where the fire was extinguished.
Officers continued searching the area and located a person matching the witness’ description near Gabilan Drive and Vista de Soledad Street, according to police.
The person was detained and admitted to starting the fires, police said. A search of the person’s belongings turned up matches and additional items believed to have been used to ignite the fires.
The suspect, whose name was not released, was identified as an unhoused man from Kings County. He was taken into custody and transported to the Monterey County Jail for booking.
Soledad police thanked the community member who reported the suspicious activity and Cal Fire personnel for their response.
“This incident highlights the importance of immediately reporting suspicious or dangerous activity,” police said. “The quick actions of the reporting party, police officers, and fire personnel helped bring this incident to a safe conclusion.”
