Contra Costa County Fire Protection District (ConFire) today announced the arrest of a suspect in a series of four suspicious fires along a walking trail in the City of Clayton last month.
The four fires in question took place in September in the same general area of a walking trail that ran through dry grass, trees, bushes, and very near homes in Clayton. Each fire had the potential for devastating results as they occurred at the height wildfire season in an area with abundant fuels dried and ready to feed potentially destructive and deadly fires, according to ConFire.
The arrested suspect has been identified by ConFire as Isaiah Javier Ortiz, 21, a Clayton resident. Earlier this week, the District Attorney’s Office filed four felonies against Ortiz related to these incidents.
“These crimes put our community at considerable risk at the height of the fire season. The resulting arrest comes as a result of the collective work of our Fire Investigation Unit, Clayton Police Department, and the office of the Contra Costa County District Attorney,” said Lewis T. Broschard III, Fire Chief, Contra Costa County Fire Protection District. “In this District, we take fire investigation very seriously and I am particularly proud of the collaborative effort that has led to this arrest.”
Through thorough investigation, it was determined early in the series that the fires were likely being intentionally set. Working with the Clayton Police Department, ConFire investigators were able to develop leads and locate witnesses, ultimately resulting in the arrest of the suspect.
The suspect is currently incarcerated in the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Martinez Detention Center pending action on the case by the District Attorney.
31 comments
This is great newz. Good work ConFire and Clayton PD…
Now THAT”S good work. Hope he’s convicted (if guilty)…
This guy looks so smug in this photo, sure does nothing to project his innocents.
If he’s found guilty, wouldn’t it be nice if he could be sentenced to work at planting trees and keeping them watered all by hand?
Agree. They need to do hard work instead of being confortable just waiting to be fed
He should be forced to work the front line of the next major wild fire, or be burned at the stake.
I wonder if he’s our man for the Marsh Creek Rd fires too. Never heard what the cause was of all those simutaneous sparks.
Exactly what I was thinking. Let’s hope this suspect can be tied to those fires, as well.
Considering the damage and deaths fires cause I would hang him. We have to stop coddling criminals.
Give him a Hot Foot
All I’m going to say is that I’ve known this young man since he was 7. I’m as stunned as anyone else who knows him. He was never in trouble, was a respectful young man, went to prestigious schools (elementary through HS) and was accepted to a great college. Clearly something went wrong if he is found guilty. He comes from an awesome family who is now dealing with this stunning news themselves. Please hold judgment and nasty comments…if you knew his family and/or him, you would be respectful.
I also know him from his younger years. Always a nice kid with a big smile. Can’t imagine what might have gone wrong.
Well I understand you know the family and maybe he was a good kid at 1 time. I live on Marsh Creek rd. I have had to evacuate 2 times it is one of the most stressful things that I have had to go through. I don’t have places to stay and I have kids and dogs. I was almost homeless. The fact that he thought this was a good idea or that it’s funny doesn’t make me really have any sympathy for him. Sorry but unless if you have been through it then you would feel the same.
He obviously doesn’t like the high standards his family has been trying to hold him to and he’s lashing out and expressing his anger at the world.Sounds like he wants to hurt people,but is none confrontational.
The reality of it is,he’s a candidate for being a sniper.
He is a bad person. I suspect his family already realizes that.
To Clayton mom of 4:
Are you kidding me? This guy was doing something to cause harm, either to property or people or both, and you want respectful comments? Get real, lady. And since you know this man, maybe you can try to get him the help he obviously needs, either in jail or when he’s released.
Clayton mom of 4 … Have zero insight if there are mental issues that might be involved, but when he goes before the Judge letters written to the Court by people who know this person will aid the Judge in his decision on this man’s case.
This punk is an example of evil among us. He tried to murder me, my family, my friends and neighbors. I am not sympathetic with the hurt feelings of his family.
Test your rebuttal on family of people who died in the Paradise Fire.
So his family has done a great job of covering for this sociopath. Sociopaths are really good at manipulating people.
Many thanks to the ConFire Investigation Unit, Clayton Police Department, and the office of the Contra Costa County District Attorney for taking this guy out of circulation. The potential for damages and loss of life from an arson event of this kind are frightening. Glad to know he’s locked up. Nice work.
Who says he’s locked up?It doesn’t say that at all.He was arrested,if was being held they would say that,and how much his bail is,his parents got him out of jail.
@jon You must be depressed, you are over reacting and jumping to conclusions. Please read the sentence below the photo. Nevermind, here it is:
“The suspect is currently incarcerated in the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Martinez Detention Center pending action on the case by the District Attorney.”
You might want to calm down.
Well I understand you know the family and maybe he was a good kid at 1 time. I live on Marsh Creek rd. I have had to evacuate 2 times it is one of the most stressful things that I have had to go through. I don’t have places to stay and I have kids and dogs. I was almost homeless. The fact that he thought this was a good idea or that it’s funny doesn’t make me really have any sympathy for him. Sorry but unless if you have been through it then you would feel the same.
Hold your comments because you know his family? This man is ill and could have killed many. He is a danger regardless of who his family is. I am sure the family saw signs of illness, they always do after the fact.
Clayton mom of four he could have killed many people..this cost the city of Clayton and state millons of tax payers dollars for his actions and needs to be accountable for, .period. obviously he’s not the cute Lil 7 year old he use to be!
I remember this kid was also posted on facebook for theft charges he apparently stole from his own friends while being at their house. Nothing new in this crooks life… just got crazier ! Hope he gets what he deserves for threatening multiple families lives and childrens …life!
But Mom of 4 already told us he is a good kid who never got in trouble. She has known him since he was 7 and knows his family so she is clearly an expert or easily fooled.
A convicted arsonist can’t be allowed to “plant trees”. They are too dangerous to be in a low security inmate group.
Actually, you’d be surprised at the kind of inmates working on a fire line. I guess he would be good at setting back-fires, although you’d need a sturdy leash and collar on him at all times. I like the idea of making him plant trees in burnt-out areas. That’s pretty back-breaking work.
Maybe some serious hard-labor under the helpful gaze of Correctional Officers will do him some good.
I would also like to thank the citizens, who not only helped contain the fire/s until the fire department got there, but were also the reason this person was apprehended. Without seeing this guy, up to no good, tracking him and giving the authorities the much needed info, this young man would not have been caught! Way to go Citizens!! Your alertness and your willingness to get involved should be applauded!! 👏👏👏
Seems like 4 arson fires constitutes attempted murder, and should be prosecuted as such. But he is probably one of those people who was just starting to get his life together, and he didn’t have enough fruit and vegetables as a child, etc…and he will be back on the streets in a few years.
Clueless mom of 4. Do you realize that your entire family under your roof could be killed at the hands of this person you are defending? If he started this fire in the middle of the night and it ravaged your home and your kids couldn’t get out, you would be a “Used to be a Mom of 4”! Don’t forget about all the lives and homes we have lost in the past 2 years with the fires that quickly went out of control !!!
Deliberately Starting fires is NOT OK!
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