Newark has been scorched by a series of deliberate arson attacks, but thanks to the vigilance of witnesses and the swift action of local police, a suspect is now behind bars facing arson-related charges. On the morning of Tuesday, April 2nd, Newark police were alerted to a small vegetation fire in the 36000 block of Cedar Blvd. Witnesses managed to extinguish the blaze before authorities arrived, described by the police as involved in a deliberate act of fire setting, engulfing nearby vegetation and a staircase adjacent to an unoccupied building, as reported on Nixle.
Within the hour, similar instances of arson in Fremont prompted a combined fire and police response. Dressed in black, a male suspect, later identified as Joseph Paulson, age 36, of Newark, was seen fleeing one of the affected areas on a bicycle. Newark police linked these fires to the incident in their jurisdiction. Authorities in Fremont, riding a wave of alert triggered by the Newark arsons, caught Paulson in the act of starting another fire on the same day at around 1:30 pm, leading to his arrest.
No injuries have been reported as a result of the small fires in both Fremont and Newark. Paulson is currently being held on various arson charges. The prompt coordination and investigation by the Newark and Fremont Police, along with the Alameda County Fire Department, were instrumental in apprehending the suspect. Newark police, in a statement, extended their gratitude to everyone involved, "We would like to thank the Fremont Police, Alameda County Fire and our own officers for their quick response and thorough investigation which led to the arrest of the suspect. We would also like to thank the witnesses whose quick action extinguishing the fires prevented further damage."
Law enforcement is encouraging anyone with additional information about the series of arsons to step forward. Sgt. Yama Homayoun of the Newark Police can be contacted via email at [email protected], or by phone at 510.578.4920. Alternatively, tips can be provided anonymously through the hotline at 510.578.4965. Media inquiries regarding the arson investigation may be directed to Lieutenant Brian Simon at 510.578.4995 or via email at [email protected].
