Arrest Made In Connection With Santa Cruz Co. Car-Fire Spree

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY, CA - Police on Tuesday arrested a suspect in connection with a rash of January vehicle fires in Soquel.

Brian Tell, 44, of Aptos, was arrested on several counts of suspicion of arson, according to the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office.

On Jan. 20 just after midnight, more than 10 cars were set on fire in the area of Park Avenue on Sub Lane in Soquel. Deputies said a nearby business was able to provide detectives with surveillance video showing the possible suspect.

The sheriff’s office posted the video on social media and later learned the suspect, later identified as Tell, was captured on camera at the Metro Center in Santa Cruz before getting on the bus to Soquel the same evening of the fires, deputies said.

On Monday, detectives received a tip that led them to identify the suspect as Tell. On Tuesday detectives served a search warrant at the suspect’s home and discovered evidence that linked Tell to the vehicle fires, deputies said.

Tell, who was at home at the time, was taken into custody.

Also see:

• Super Bowl 50 Commercials: Sneak Peek At Sunday’s Ads
• Massage Parlor Sting Nets 4 In Santa Cruz County

--Bay City News