On December 27, 2022 the Pleasant Hill Police Department responded to an apartment complex in the 1400 block of Contra Costa Boulevard to investigate a report of an explosion heard and smoke seen coming from a first floor apartment in the City of Pleasant Hill.
Upon arrival, Pleasant Hill Police officers found one apartment completely engulfed in flames at approximately 9:00 pm. The complex was evacuated by PHPD officers and members of Contra Costa County Fire. The fire was quickly extinguished by fire personnel. While on scene, it was determined a male resident was seen fleeing from the involved apartment carrying two large knives.
Several citizens called Pleasant Hill Police Department dispatch to report seeing a man limping away from the complex carrying two large kitchen knives. Officers located the man, identified as Marlon Perry, 58 of Pleasant Hill, and upon contact, he refused to obey their commands and began self-inflicting knife wounds.
A Pleasant Hill Police officer deployed less-than-lethal bean bag munitions on Perry, and he was safely detained. Perry was transported to a local hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening self-inflicted injuries.
Contra Costa County Fire arson investigators found evidence within the apartment indicating the fire was intentionally set. Three apartments were damaged by fire and smoke. No residents were injured as a result of the fire. It was later confirmed Perry was the resident and sole occupant of the involved apartment. Once he receives appropriate treatment, he will be booked into the Martinez Detention Facility for arson.
Police say the investigation remains active at this time. If you have any information that may assist investigator, you are encouraged to contact the Pleasant Hill Investigations Bureau at (925) 288-4630
- Crime/Incident – Felony Arson
- Date/Time – Dec. 27 at 8:58 pm
Location: 1400 block Contra Costa Blvd, Pleasant Hill - Suspect: Marson Perry, 58 of Pleasant Hill
- Case Number: 22-4199
No other information was released by Pleasant Hill Police
