Investigators have arrested serial arson suspect believed to be involved in numerous intentionally set fires throughout San Francisco’s Northern Police District.
SFPD’s Special Investigations Division (SID) Arson Task Force began the investigation in November 2019 and identified a person of interest: 54-year-old Mark Major.
On Monday, March 30, plainclothes officers and Task Force personnel began searching for Major.
Just after 12 AM on Wednesday, April 1, they spotted him and followed him to Alamo Square Park at Pierce and Hayes, where they watched as he reportedly lit a fire against a restroom building structure and fled. Officers quickly extinguished the fire.
Another officer continued to follow him as he made his way further into the park. At some point he began lighting a second fire, but tried to walk away when he saw the officer. A second officer arrived to provide assistance and, after a short struggle, Major was taken into custody.
He faces multiple felony arson-related charges.
Police say Major is a suspect in two other arson incidents in San Francisco — a vehicle fire on the 400 block of Hickory Street on February 15th, and another vehicle fire and Linden and Laguna on February 21.
