Suspected Arsonist Arrested for Setting a Car and 3 Garage Doors on Fire
Photo: burn damage
FREMONT — A suspected arsonist was arrested for setting a car on fire, a few days after setting three garage doors on fire. Roshan D. Patel, a 44-year-old resident of Fremont, remains in custody in lieu of $205,000 bond.
Detectives viewed security camera videos to determine the license plate number of the vehicle used by the arsonist. This enabled them to identify Patel as the suspect.
more arson damage
Patel was placed under surveillance and undercover detectives followed him on December 8. They observed him pouring liquid on a vehicle parked outside 47618 Hoyt Street. Patel next ignited the vehicle on fire.
The garage door at the same residence sustained fire damage on December 6, which Patel is also suspected of doing. When the suspect returned December 8, he was interrupted by detectives who arrested him at 3 a.m.
Detectives used a nearby garden hose to extinguish the car fire, before transporting Patel to Fremont City Jail. He was later transferred and booked into Alameda County’s Santa Rita Jail in Dublin.
In addition to the fires at Hoyt Street, Patel is suspected of setting a garage door on fire on Castro Lane on December 1. He is also accused of setting a garage door on fire at the same residence on Cougar Lane twice—December 4th and 6th.
For these incendiary activities, Patel faces charges for causing a fire of an inhabited structure and causing fire of property. His arraignment is scheduled for December 10.
Detectives learned that Patel knows at least one of the residents who was targeted. This arson investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information can call Fremont police detective Travis MacDonald at 510-790-6900 or email
tmacdonald@fremont.gov.
