Photo: one of the fires
CONCORD – A man frequently in trouble with the law has been arrested on suspicion of setting several fires at a church. Two of the fires erupted into major blazes causing extensive damage.
Christ Community Church of Nazarene was damaged by fires May 13 and again on May 17. The fires damaged the chapel and a multi-purpose church building, which collapsed.
Investigators from the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District determined that the May 13 fire was ignited in a crawl space. Investigators found evidence that someone was recently living there.
The suspect was arrested May 17, shortly after he allegedly attempted to set three fires. The first two attempts apparently failed but the third attempt caused the second major fire at the church in one week.
Concord patrol officers arrested 47-year-old Jesse B. Marron, a transient who lives in Concord. Marron was apparently intoxicated when he was arrested shortly after midnight.
Marron was booked for arson 451(B), public intoxication 647(F), and possession of drug paraphernalia (11364(A). In addition, he was booked for violation of civil rights causing property damage (422.7(B) and probation violation.
Thus far, Marron has been arrested seven times this year. His prior arrests involved burglaries, vehicle thefts and trespassing.
In 2019, Marron was arrested three times for battery, possession of controlled substances and other offenses. He was arrested twice in 2018 for assault and public intoxication.
