Man arrested on suspicion of starting six early morning fires in Barstow

A man was arrested on suspicion of starting six predawn fires on Thursday on and near Main Street in Barstow, authorities said.

Edward Marquez, a 24-year-old resident of Barstow, was arrested by Barstow Police Department officials, who suspect him of starting the blazes.

San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department and Victorville Superior Court on Thursday showed no information on Marquez.

The Barstow Police Department reported that at 4:14 a.m. on Thursday, they received a call for service regarding a small brush fire at the vacant IHOP restaurant building in the 1400 block of East Main Street.

Upon arrival, an officer observed a man leaving the fire area on foot. When the Barstow Fire Protection District arrived on the scene, the officer conducted an area check for the man but was unable to locate him. The fire caused minor damage.

At 4:58 a.m., authorities received a call regarding a trashcan fire at O'Reilly Auto Parts located in the 1100 block of East Main Street. Barstow Fire responded and extinguished the fire. Officers checked the area but did not locate anyone.

At 5:07 a.m., the dispatch center received a call regarding two dumpster fires located in the 900 block of East Williams Street. Fire personnel responded and extinguished the fire.

At 5:26 a.m., the dispatch center received a call regarding a fence fire at 931 East Main Street. Barstow firefighters responded and extinguished the fire, which had spread from a fence to the side of the building causing minor damage.

At 5:34 a.m., the dispatch center received another call regarding a vacant home on fire in the 600 block of East Williams Street.

During that time, Barstow Fire Chief Nick DiNapoli observed a man exiting the incident location and leaving on foot. He also observed that the man was the only person at the scene. Officers in the area searched for the man at that time.

At around 5:37 a.m., officers were in the area of Swiss Liquor, located in the 700 block of East Main Street, when they observed smoke coming from a trash can in front of the business.

While Officer Phillip Ragle was in this area, he observed a man near the fire and contacted him. He was identified as Marquez, according to police officials.

While Ragle spoke to Marquez, Dinapoli arrived on the scene and identified the subject as the person he observed exiting the residence fire just a few minutes before, the police report said.

Officers conducted investigations of all the fire scenes and located physical evidence at three, which placed Marquez at those locations at the time of the fires, the BPD reported.

While Officer Victor Ochoa placed Marquez under arrest on suspicion of arson, Detective Austyn Willis continued the investigation, which is ongoing.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked by the Barstow Police Department to contact Detective Willis at 760- 255-5186 or Officer Victor Ochoa at 760-256-2211 or at vochoa@barstowca.org.

Those wishing to remain anonymous may also provide information by calling the WE-TIP hotline at 1-800-79-CRIME (27469) or by going to www.wetip.com.

Daily Press reporter Rene Ray De La Cruz may be reached at 760-951-6227 or RDeLaCruz@VVDailyPress.com. Follow him on Twitter @DP_ReneDeLaCruz

This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: Man arrested on suspicion of starting six early morning Barstow fires