San Francisco Police have apprehended a 29-year-old male suspected of arson in the Richmond District, potentially putting an end to a series of recent fires that have troubled the neighborhood. On Monday, plainclothes officers patrolling the area noticed Joseph Martinez at around 1:30 AM near La Playa and Balboa Streets, seemingly starting fires while walking through a park. Following this suspicious activity, they witnessed a large fire in progress, prompting a response from the Fire Department to contain the blaze, according to the San Francisco Police Department.
Once the area was canvassed, officers located and arrested Martinez, charging him with arson, possession of an incendiary device with the intent to set a structure or forest land ablaze, alongside methamphetamine and other controlled substances, and drug paraphernalia. It was not immediately clear from the police report why Martinez was setting the fires or if he had a lawyer to speak on his behalf.
With the arrest of Martinez, the Police Department urges the public to remain vigilant and report any additional information related to the case. They suggest contacting the SFPD by phone at (415) 575-4444 or sending a tip via text by starting the message with 'SFPD' to TIP411, as the investigation is still ongoing following Martinez's arrest.
