San Luis Obispo Man Arrested In Connection With Suspicious Fire Off Bob Jones Trail

SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. (KEYT) – On Thursday, a 38-year-old San Luis Obispo man was arrested in connection with a suspicious fire put out earlier this week.

On Sep. 8, around 4:30 p.m., firefighters were dispatched to a reported brush fire along the Bob Jones Bike Trail, north of Los Osos Valley Road, stated a press release Thursday from the San Luis Obispo Police Department.

Arriving fire crews found that flames had spread onto city property and burned several stored vehicles in the area detailed the law enforcement agency.

While battling the flames, San Luis Obispo City Fire Department personnel contacted local police "due to suspicious circumstances surrounding the fire" explained the San Luis Obispo Police Department.

Investigators from both agencies determined that the fire appeared to have been intentionally set and, with assistance from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, located a person of interest who was later released noted the San Luis Obispo Police Department.

According to San Luis Obispo Police, further investigation later resulted in the identification of a 38-year-old local unhoused man who was known to frequent the area.

On Sep. 10, the 38-year-old was located and taken into custody before being booked on felony charges of arson of a structure or forest land and arson of property noted the San Luis Obispo Police Department.

The investigation into the suspicious fire remains ongoing and anyone with more information is asked to contact Detective Koznek at 805-594-8005 or via email at jkoznek@slocity.org.