Photo: Hector Molina
FREMONT — A transient tattoo artist with a criminal history is in custody, pending arraignment on May 29. The suspect faces several felony charges related to residential arson and burglary.
Hector Molina, 32 of Fremont, is accused of committing crimes at the same residence on two separate occasions. Molina was identified as a suspect by detectives reviewing videos recorded by security cameras.
On May 20, a woman arrived home to discover a side door to a garage was smashed. Not only that, a box inside the garage had been set on fire. Fortunately, the fire failed to spread and burned itself out.
The suspect was recorded on video leaving the garage, from the side door, and riding away on a bicycle. The same suspect was recorded smashing a window and damaging the front door at the home on May 17.
In both instances, Molina was allegedly wearing the same clothing when he rode away. He was spotted by patrol officers and taken into custody.
Including his latest arrest on May 21, Molina has been arrested 46 times in the last six years. He was picked up near Mowry Avenue and Guardino Drive.
Officers found Molina near the scene of an arson on May 21, which is under investigation. They recognized him as a suspect for other crimes he is charged with committing on May 20 and May 17.
Molina was booked into Santa Rita Jail, where he remains in custody. His charges include arson and first-degree burglary, and allegations related to prior felonies.
The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information about Molina and the arson on May 21 can contact detective Travis MacDonald at 510-790-6900 or Tmacdonald@fremont.gov.
