Arson Suspect Arrested In El Cerrito

EL CERRITO, CA — A man who allegedly used documents with his name on them to start a fire near the El Cerrito Plaza shopping center was arrested on suspicion of arson Thursday, police said.

Patrick Baker, 32, was arrested and booked into the Martinez Detention Facility, police said. His place of residence was not available.

The case began Oct. 8 when officers answered a call of a suspicious person and found black smoke billowing behind a Ross department store in the plaza, off of San Pablo Avenue, police said.

The officers discovered a large brush and tree fire alongside the Ohlone Greenway, a trail along the BART tracks near the store.

As the officers worked with fire extinguishers to put the fire out, they noticed Baker standing nearby fixating on the fire, police said. The officers and the El Cerrito Fire Department put the fire out with no injuries, police said. Investigators found documents belonging to Baker that were used as kindling and presumed to have started the fire, according to police.

Because Baker may have started other fires that haven't been reported, police are asking anyone with information to contact investigations@ci.el-cerrito.ca.us.

People can also call (510) 233-1214 and wait for the prompt to contact El Cerrito police.

— Bay City News; Image via Shutterstock