Cars torched in weekend arson spree
By: Tamara Barak Aparton
Examiner Staff Writer
July 27, 2009
SAN FRANCISCO — A firebug struck parked cars in The City this weekend in a spree reminiscent of the Port-a-Potty arsonist, who was active in San Francisco for a four-month period that ended earlier this year.
Four vehicles were torched over the weekend, according to police. The first of the fires was reported around 3 a.m. Saturday in the Financial District, where a car was set aflame in the 200-block of California Street, between Battery and Front streets.
Later Saturday, shortly before midnight, an arsonist struck again less than 2 miles away, at Franklin and Fern streets. The car fires continued into Sunday, with a vehicle torched at 4 a.m. at Van Ness Avenue and Olive Street near the Civic Center area.
On Monday around 2:30 a.m., a parked vehicle was set on fire on 12th Street near South Van Ness Avenue.
The arsons are similar to a Thursday fire set on a vehicle at Geary Street and Van Ness Avenue, said San Francisco police Sgt. Lyn Tomioka, who declined to reveal the details of the similarities.
An arson investigator hasn't determined that the blazes are related, "but hasn't ruled that out," Tomioka said.
Police have made no arrests and nobody was reported as injured in the fires. No suspect information was available.
The spate of 27 malicious toilet fires began in early November and ended abruptly Feb. 22. Most of the activity was centered around North Beach, Marina and Russian Hill, although a handful of toilets in Potrero Hill were also hit.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Police Department's anonymous tip line at (415) 575-4444.
-- Bay City News Service contributed to this report
