Suspected Arsonists Arrested for Setting Fires at Businesses in Clayton and Pittsburg
Photo: cooper’s arson
CONCORD — Investigations conducted by the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District (Con Fire) culminated in two arrests in January. It appears that fires occurring at businesses in Pittsburg and Clayton were set intentionally.
Dennis J. Wolfenbarger, 42 of Oakley, was arrested by Pittsburg police, in connection with a fire on January 22. Wolfenbarger was booked for arson to property PC 451(d) and tampering with a utility PC 498(a)(6). He remains in custody at the West County Detention Facility in lieu of $50,000 Bond.
Wolfenbarger allegedly set a fire outside an unoccupied business on the 3700 block of Railroad Avenue in Pittsburg. Materials inside a metal container were set ablaze. It was extinguished and the building was not damaged.
Con Fire and Pittsburg PD received a report of a man opening fire hydrants in the area. Firefighters and police located Wolfenbarger at the scene. He purportedly admitted to starting this fire in Pittsburg.
On January 21, Con Fire responded to another fire on the 1500 block of Kirker Pass Road in Clayton. A pile of debris was set alight outside the back door of a business. The fire spread and damaged the exterior and interior of the building.
The suspect involved in the Clayton blaze was recorded by a video surveillance camera. It showed a man starting the fire and adding cardboard and wood to it.
He was identified as a Concord resident, 57-year-old Kevin Cooper. He was detained by Concord police, arrested by Con Fire investigators, and later transported to jail by Clayton police.
Cooper faces one charge for arson to an inhabited structure. He remains in custody at the West County Detention Facility in lieu of $250,000 bond.
