Home Antioch CONFIRE: Man Who Tried to Burn Homes in Antioch and Concord Arrested

CONFIRE: Man Who Tried to Burn Homes in Antioch and Concord Arrested

by ECT

Contra Costa County Fire Protection District fire investigators arrested a man on suspicion of Arson on December 24th, 2015.

Joshua Van Buskirk, 33,  is suspected of using incendiary devices to try to burn homes in Antioch and Concord on December 23rd and 24th. A vehicle fire from October 12th was also attributed to the suspect.

On December 29th, 2015, Mr. Van Buskirk was charged with 1 count of arson to an inhabited dwelling, 3 counts of possessing a destructive device (Molotov Cocktail), 2 counts of child endangerment/abuse, and 3 counts of arson to property. All charges are felonies and bail was set at $2.1 Million.

On Thursday, 12/24/15 Contra Costa Fire Investigators were called to a fire in front of a residence in the 3600 block of Walnut Avenue in Concord. Several fires along with two “Molotov Cocktail” type incendiary devices were found in front of the house. Other evidence found at the scene was unique and it was believed to have been related to another fire the previous day in Antioch.

The same morning, Investigators and Concord PD responded to a “cold fire” in the 4100 block of Churchill Drive in Concord. At least one more “Molotov Cocktail” device was found at the scene, this one caused damage to the garage door of a single family residence while occupants were asleep inside. Evidence and information discovered at the scene related it to the incident on Walnut Avenue.

Further investigation and specific evidence related these fires to an arson to a vehicle the previous day in Antioch in the 400 block of Ridgewood Ct.

All of the these incidents were also found to be related by specific evidence to what is believed to be the first arson on 10/12/15 in the 100 block of Gregory Lane in Pleasant Hill where a vehicle was set on fire in a parking lot.

The investigation conducted by Contra Costa Fire Investigators and Concord PD identified the suspect as Joshua Van Buskirk, 33 years old from Walnut Creek. He was located at his residence and arrested without incident. A subsequent search warrant revealed evidence connecting Van Buskirk to the crimes.

He was booked into the county jail in Martinez and formal charges were filed on 12/29/15.

Information provided by Contra Costa Fire Protection District

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