Walnut Creek arrested a homeless man after a wine shop in a strip mall was set on fire late Sunday night with a gasoline can found nearby.
Sgt. David Rangel said police took Arthur Holden, 49, into custody on suspicion of arson, commercial burglary and parole violation after they found a building in the 1200 Block of Arroyo Way engulfed in flames about 9:20 p.m.
Fire investigators from the Contra Costa Fire Department watched video surveillance footage from a nearby business and recognized a man they described as Holden in the area at the time of the fire.
Officers found Holden behind 1150 N. Civic Drive. Physical evidence as well as stolen property from the business that was set on fire was located in the area where Holden was found. Video images after the fire show the wine bottles broken and scorched.
Holden, who is on parole for theft with priors, was booked at the Martinez Detention Facility.
