Stephen Ellison

Santa Rosa Police Arrest Arson Suspect in Creek Trail Fires

Santa Rosa police and Sonoma County sheriff's deputies arrested a homeless man Monday on suspicion of lighting fires along trails last month.

There were four suspicious fires along the West County Regional Trail near Occidental Road in Graton on June 14 and 13 small fires along the Santa Rosa Creek Trail near Dutton Avenue in Santa Rosa on June 16, police and sheriff's officials said in a news release Tuesday.

A witness identified 51-year-old Domingo Bautista-Bautista in a photo lineup as the suspect, according to the sheriff's office.

Bautista was arrested on suspicion of two felony arson counts and violation of his probation. He is being held in Sonoma County Jail and is scheduled to be arraigned Thursday afternoon in Sonoma County Superior Court.

It does not appear Bautista is responsible for any other fires in Sonoma County, authorities said.

Anyone with information about the West County Regional Trail fires is asked to call the sheriff's office at (707) 565-2185. Anyone with information about the Santa Rosa Creek Trail fires can call Santa Rosa police at (707) 543-3575.

The Sonoma County Alliance has offered a reward up to $5,000 for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the arsonist.

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