Accused Lafayette, Walnut Creek Serial Arsonist's Name, Photo Released

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA - An alleged serial arson accused of setting vehicle fires in Walnut Creek, Lafayette, Martinez and Brentwood has been identified by the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District as James Bishop III, 36, of Pittsburg. He was arrested early Saturday after allegedly setting fire to a vehicle in a residential driveway in Benecia.

Bishop has been charged with one count of arson to an inhabited structure, nine counts of arson to property and eight counts of using an accelerant to set a fire. It was reported on Saturday that he was being held on a $3.1 million bail.

Investigators noticed an increase in the number of vehicle fires in April, noting that they shared some common characteristics including the use of an accelerant on the vehicles' exteriors. Using security videos from homes and businesses near the scenes of the fires, they identified a Toyota RAV4 associated with the suspect. Bishop
was driving a 1996 RAV4 at the time of his arrest, according to firefighters.

Investigators note that the number of vehicle fires in the area has dropped off to a more typical rate since Bishop's arrest.

The case remains under investigation, and fire officials are asking anyone who lives near the scene of a recent car fire to come forward with information that may be of use to prosecutors - such as security camera footage that shows Bishop or the RAV4 he was driving.

Anyone with information can call the arson tip line at 1 (866) 50-ARSON.

— Bay City News contributed to this report; Images via Contra Costa County Fire Protection District

Previous:

• Serial Arsonist Strikes in 4 Contra Costa County Communities: Fire Officials
• Suspected Serial Arsonist Strikes Again
• Police Say They Have Serial Arsonist In Custody