Over the weekend, Contra Costa County Fire Investigators took four arson suspects into custody within a 48-hour period related to 33-different fires.
Antioch Arson Suspect Escapes
On Saturday, Contra Costa County Fire had responded to a series of fires over a period of 24-hours at the Hillcrest Park off Larkspur Drive. Saturday night, while responding, a fire investigator spotted the suspect (see above photo) and while getting out of his vehicle, the suspect took a swung at the investigator.
This led to a short foot pursuit followed by a physical altercation where the suspect and investigator wrestled on the ground with at one point the suspect attempting to pull the investigators gun from his holster. Antioch Police Department officers arrived on scene and were forced to utilize their taser several times before taking him into custody and then to a local hospital.
According to CONFIRE, while at the hospital on a 5150 hold, the suspect assaulted hospital staff and fled the scene.
As of Tuesday morning, he is not in custody and Antioch Police are presenting the case to the District Attorney to get a warrant. The suspect’s name was not released.
Suspect in Fires Near Costco in Custody
Contra Costa County Fire had been working a fire investigation with an ongoing series of fire near Costco in the City of Antioch. Working with Costco management, they identified a suspect who happened to be a contract security guard for Costco. The suspect was identified as Gideon Edward Spence, 33 of Concord.
After a search warrant was obtained and a search of his house and vehicle, evidence collected allowed the Contra Costa County District attorney to file 12-felony counts of arson.
Concord Arson Suspect Arrested
On Saturday at 1:22 am, Contra Costa County Fire Investigators, along with Concord Police and California Highway Patrol responded to the area of Port Chicago Highway and SR-242 for a report of several spot fires along the roadway. Authorities located a suspect who was taken into custody. The suspect was identified as Victor Jaime-Esquivias, a 46-year-old transient.
Arson Suspect Arrested
A fourth arrest for a series of fires occurred, however, CONFIRE is still investigating and no additional information is being released at this time.
