Home Contra Costa County Arsonist Found Guilty on 31 Counts in 2017 Arson Fires, Awaits Sentencing

Arsonist Found Guilty on 31 Counts in 2017 Arson Fires, Awaits Sentencing

by ECT

James Bishop III Guilty, Awaiting Sentencing on 31 Counts Related to 2017 Fires in Antioch, Martinez, Pleasant Hill, Concord, Pittsburg, Walnut Creek, Lafayette, Brentwood and Benicia

Bishop is currently incarcerated in the Martinez Detention Facility awaiting sentencing. Sentencing in the case is expected on January 25, 2019 in Contra Costa County Superior Court in Martinez. Bishop now faces a sentence of up to more than 20 years in state prison

“Conviction of this dangerous arsonist who plagued our communities for many months comes as a result of a county-wide effort of our Fire Investigation Unit, the office of the Contra Costa County District Attorney, and numerous law enforcement agencies,” said Jeff Carman, Fire Chief, Contra Costa County Fire Protection District. “In this County, we take fire investigation very seriously and I am especially proud of the teamwork of all involved agencies that has resulted in this arsonist who placed our citizens’ lives and property in jeopardy being safely behind bars.”

In the jury trial, begun in November 2018 in Contra Costa County Superior Court, Bishop was charged with 33 felony counts involving arson of an inhabited structure, arson of property, and the possession and use of an accelerant. Some 45 fires were examined over the course of the investigation with 14 of these resulting in the charges in the case. The fires occurred in Antioch, Martinez, Pleasant Hill, Concord, Pittsburg, Walnut Creek, Lafayette, Brentwood and Benicia.

In the early months of 2017, the Con Fire FIU began noticing similarities in separate, unexplained vehicle fires throughout Contra Costa County, determining the vehicle fires were likely the result of a serial arsonist. These fires were set, in most cases, in vehicles adjacent to homes and, in one noteworthy case, in a vehicle immediately below the bedroom of sleeping children.

The arson task force contributing to arrest and conviction of Bishop also included the Concord Police Department, the Lafayette Police Department, the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office Crime Lab, California Highway Patrol and other local law enforcement agencies. Neighbors also provided crucial evidence to Con Fire investigators, in several instances sharing surveillance videos that captured a suspicious vehicle in the vicinity at the time of the fires.


In the early months of 2017, the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District Fire Investigation Unit (FIU) began noticing similarities in separate, unexplained vehicle fires it was investigating throughout the County.  The FIU, comprised of four fulltime sworn fire/arson investigators, quickly determined the fires were likely the work of a serial arsonist.

Brentwood, CA

In the ensuing months, investigators continued to routinely process fire scenes and look for evidence but initially did not identify a suspect.  In late April, and into early May, the frequency of suspicious vehicle fires began to increase from one or two a week, to one every night, then to several separate vehicle fires on the same nights.

Several of these fires spread from the parked vehicles to occupied residences including one with sleeping children in a bedroom just above. All of the fires occurred during hours of darkness, late at night or in the early morning hours.

Early investigation revealed partial images of a vehicle entering and or leaving the fire areas and, while all images seemed to depict the same vehicle, none captured a license plate.

However, on May 12, 2017 at 2:17 a.m., video surveillance systems from a neighboring business and residences captured a partial license plate image on a vehicle departing the scene of a vehicle fire in the City of Lafayette. With assistance of the Lafayette Police Department and the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office Crime lab, the image was enhanced, revealing the entire license plate number to investigators.

Armed with suspect vehicle license plate information, FIU assembled a surveillance task force comprised of the Contra Costa County DA’s Office, Concord Police, California Highway Patrol, and FIU investigators.

Photo provided by Contra Costa County Fire

On May 12, investigators located and followed the vehicle for almost four hours in and around the City of Benicia. At 11:45 p.m., the vehicle pulled over in a Benicia residential neighborhood. Changing from vehicle surveillance to on foot investigators sought to get closer to the suspect and as they moved in on the parked vehicle they saw it speed out of the area. At the same moment, investigators saw a car parked in a nearby driveway on fire.

Investigator alerted residents and summon he Benicia Fire Department while updating other investigators in the area of the situation and direction taken by the fleeing vehicle.

The suspect vehicle was located within minutes as it pulled into the McDonald’s parking lot at 1602 East 2nd in Benicia. The driver, James Bishop III (DOB 11/14/80), resident of Pittsburg, was detained and arrested.  Search warrants were obtained for Bishop’s vehicle and residence where evidence supporting his involvement in the fires was obtained.

A jury trial began in early November, 2018 in Contra Costa County Superior Court. Bishop was charged with 33 felony counts involving arson of an inhabited structure, arson of property, and possession and use of an accelerant. Of the more than 40 fires investigated in Antioch, Martinez, Pleasant Hill, Concord, Pittsburg, Walnut Creek, Lafayette, Brentwood and Benicia, 14 were used as the basis for the charges.

On December 4, 2018 the jury reached a verdict and found Bishop guilty of 31 of 33 charged felony counts. Sentencing is scheduled for late January 2019.   The successful investigation, prosecution, and conviction of James Bishop III is a result of allied agencies working together on a complex case.  The coordination and cooperation of Con Fire, law enforcement agencies within the county, the District Attorney’s Office, Sheriff’s Office Crime Lab, and support from agencies in adjacent counties were essential to the outcome. Together, these professional men and women work together every day to protect the residents of this county and bring individuals who threaten the safety and well-being of the public to justice.

This case is one of several serial arsonist investigations the FIU has conducted over the past 15 years.  However, this case is believed to be the largest serial arson investigation in District history, and one of the largest in the State, based upon the number of charges filed and convictions.

Case information: People v. James Bishop III, Docket Number 05-171999-6.

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4 comments

Simonpure Dec 6, 2018 - 9:36 am

Unfortunately there is still a serial arsonist in Antioch. Hope they catch him soon. Too close to home for me.

Nick Dec 6, 2018 - 12:12 pm

Life in prison without parole. He’s done.

Lola Saavedra Dec 6, 2018 - 8:04 pm

No! He should be tied up to a stake and burned! Let him enjoy the fire he seems to like so much!

Sorcerer Dec 11, 2018 - 2:45 pm

BURN HIS SORRY BUTT!

Comments are closed.