Santa Rosa Authorities Arrest Five Suspects in Five Separate Suspicious Fires
SANTA ROSA, CA — “Since June 30, 2026, the Santa Rosa Fire Department’s (SRFD) Fire Prevention Bureau and the Santa Rosa Police Department (SRPD) have been investigating a series of vegetation and suspicious fires occurring throughout Santa Rosa. The fires have ranged in size from a few square feet to approximately three-quarters of an acre and have occurred in several areas of the city, including the Joe Rodota Trail, Prince Memorial Greenway, Santa Rosa Creek Trail, and College Creek Trail. Investigators have tracked more than 30 fires, with at least 17 believed to have been intentionally set.
Through a coordinated effort involving SRFD Fire Investigators, SRPD patrol officers, the Property Crimes Investigations Team, and the Downtown Enforcement Team, five individuals have been arrested in connection with five separate fire-related incidents over the past several weeks. At this time, investigators do not believe the suspects acted together. However, investigators continue to examine whether those arrested may be connected to additional unsolved fires.
Adan Alvarez-Florez Arrested Following Creek Trail Fire
On July 7, 2026, at approximately 11:18 a.m., fire investigators and officers responded to a fire along the Santa Rosa Creek Trail near West 8th Street and Simpson Avenue. The fire involved paperwork that had been intentionally set on fire less than one foot from tall, dry grass, creating a significant risk of a vegetation fire spreading.
An SRPD police officer observed Adan Alvarez-Florez, a 32-year-old Santa Rosa resident, standing next to the fire and immediately detained him. Following an investigation, Alvarez-Florez was arrested and booked into the Sonoma County Main Adult Detention Facility for the following offense:
452(d) PC – Reckless burning of personal property
Wuilton De Leon Reyes Identified Through Video Investigation
On July 13, 2026, at approximately 10:05 a.m., SRFD responded to two fires in the 700 block of A Street involving a fence and a backyard couch. Firefighters quickly extinguished the fires before they could spread further. Fire investigators requested SRPD based on the investigation and suspicion that the fires were intentionally set.
Investigators obtained images of the suspect from area security cameras and forwarded the information to PCI detectives for follow-up investigation. Detectives subsequently identified Wuilton De Leon Reyes, a 46-year-old transient, as the suspect. At approximately 2:00 p.m. that same day, an SRPD Downtown Enforcement Team (DET) officer located and detained De Leon Reyes in Old Courthouse Square. He was arrested for the following offense:
451(d) PC – Arson
Corey Bynum Arrested Shortly After Starting Fire
On July 20, 2026, at approximately 9:55 a.m., fire investigators and officers responded to the 700 block of 7th Street after receiving reports that a man had set another person’s property on fire.
The fire burned decorative vegetation and a plastic storm drain grate. Investigators obtained surveillance footage from the area and identified Corey Bynum, a 42-year-old transient, as a possible suspect. Shortly afterward, an SRPD DET officer located Bynum in the 300 block of 6th Street. Additional investigation established probable cause that Bynum was responsible for the fire. Bynum was arrested for the following offenses:
451(d) PC – Arson
594(b)(1) PC – Vandalism
11364(a) HS – Possession of drug paraphernalia
Jason Cass Identified Through Security Camera Footage
On July 18, 2026, at approximately 7:10 p.m., a fire was reported along the College Creek Trail near the 2100 block of West College Avenue. Firefighters extinguished a 10’ by 15’ dry cut season grasses. Fire investigators determined the fire was intentionally set and requested SRPD.
PCI detectives obtained and reviewed security camera footage from the area. Through additional investigation, detectives identified Jason Cass, a 37-year-old transient, as the suspect. On July 22, 2026, an SRPD DET officer located and detained Cass, who was subsequently arrested for the following offenses:
451(d) PC – Arson
11377(a) HS – Possession of a controlled substance
11364(a) PC – Possession of drug paraphernalia
Jessica Lucas Located Within Minutes by DET Officer
Two witnesses observed a suspect setting dry grass on fire in the area of 9th Street and Morgan Street at around 9:00 a.m. on July 24. The witnesses were able to extinguish the small fire and provide dispatchers with a description of the suspect and the direction in which she was traveling. An SRPD DET officer in the area was able to detain the suspect nearby on Morgan Street. After further investigation, the fire investigator and officer assigned to the incident determined Jessica Lucas, a 36 year-old transient, was responsible for setting the fire. Lucas was arrested for an outstanding out-of-county warrant and the following offense:
452(c) PC – Reckless burning
With continued hot, dry weather conditions increasing the risk of fire spread, SRPD and SRFD encourage community members to remain vigilant and immediately report suspicious activity. The SRFD and SRPD recognize the vigilance of community members who reported suspicious activities. Prompt reporting and coordinated investigative efforts have been instrumental in addressing these incidents and helping reduce the risk of fire within the community. Anyone who sees a fire, observes someone attempting to start a fire, or witnesses suspicious behavior involving combustible materials should call 911 immediately.
Investigations into these fires are still ongoing. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the SRPD Property Crimes Investigations Team tipline at 707-543-3575 or submit a tip anonymously at www.srcity.org/CrimeTips.
The Santa Rosa Police Department and Santa Rosa Fire Department remain committed to aggressively investigating arson crimes and holding those responsible accountable. The departments will continue to work together to identify those responsible for recent fires and to protect the community from the dangers posed by intentionally set fires.”
