Woman Living in a Tent Accused of Setting Fire to an RV Inhabited by a Man
Photo: Kim Johnson
BERKELEY — A homeless woman suspected of committing arson is being held in custody in lieu of $275,000 bond, pending arraignment on November 12. She allegedly set fire to an RV sheltering a homeless man.
This fire was reported November 9 at approximately 6:30 a.m. It occurred in an industrial area adjacent to Interstate 80, where homeless persons are living inside tents and RVs.
Responding police and firefighters discovered a tarp on fire. The tarp was being used to cover a battered RV, parked near the intersection of Second and Page streets. It was quickly extinguished, and no injuries were reported.
Authorities investigating the incident were told that a woman still in the area set the tarp on fire. A man sleeping inside the RV was awakened by the fire. He attempted unsuccessfully to put it out, before first responders arrived.
Suspicion was cast upon a woman who lives in a tent nearby. The suspect and victim apparently know each other.
The suspect identified as 35-year-old Kim Johnson was arrested at 7:39 a.m. Johnson was transported and later booked into Alameda County’s Santa Rita Jail.
Johnson presently faces charges for felony arson to an inhabited structure, and for obstructing or resisting an officer.
This is not the first time Johnson is in trouble with the law. Last year, she was arrested for vehicle theft.
