San Jose police arrested a 30-year-old man they said was responsible for a string of vehicle arsons that burned nearly 20 cars across the city in January.
Jose Rodriguez-Barragan, an unhoused San Jose resident, was arrested Jan. 30 and booked into jail on arson charges, drug-related offenses and multiple outstanding warrants, according to the San Jose Police Department.
Investigators believe Rodriguez-Barragan set about five vehicle fires on Jan. 21 and another six on Jan. 27 at locations throughout the city, police said.
The blazes damaged or destroyed approximately 19 vehicles. Detectives are continuing to investigate whether he is connected to additional arson incidents, including dozens of suspicious fires reported in recent weeks.
“Acts of arson put lives at risk and threaten the safety of entire neighborhoods,” Police Chief Paul Joseph said in a statement. “This case highlights the importance of collaboration across agencies and the critical role of technology in identifying suspects and holding them accountable.”
Analysts from the police department reviewed public safety camera footage while detectives canvassed neighborhoods, reviewed hours of surveillance video and reinterviewed victims and witnesses, authorities said.
“These fires created a significant threat to public safety and to our responding firefighters,” Fire Chief Robert Sapien Jr. said. “We are grateful for the collaborative work between SJFD’s Arson Unit and SJPD that led to the suspect’s arrest and helped prevent further incidents.”
This article originally published at San Jose police arrest suspect in car arsons that burned nearly 20 vehicles.