The Hollister Police Department on Saturday arrested 33-year-old Hollister resident Jason W. Spears on four counts of arson after neighbors reported him trying to set fire to a local condominium, according to police.
During the early morning hours Saturday, a resident of the Gibson Station complex witnessed Spears, who is also a resident there, attempting to set fire to a condominium, police alleged in a statement. The witness later spoke to neighbors who confronted and detained Spears before calling police.
Authorities found several areas on multiple condominiums where Spears had allegedly attempted to set fire to the units. No serious damage was done. Spears was arrested on charges alleging four counts of arson to an inhabited structure. He was booked into the San Benito County Jail.
Earlier that morning, police also responded to Luminous Salon located at 219 South St. for a similar arson. An exterior wall, interior curtain, and light fixture were damaged by fire. Evidence linking Spears to this arson was recovered on him when he was arrested, according to police.
Police and fire arson investigators executed a search warrant on Spears’ residence to look for additional evidence related to these crimes. The Hollister Police Department is also investigating whether Spears had any involvement with the recent string of arsons that have occurred in the city since November 2012, when a medical office building was destroyed by arson.
According to the statement: The Hollister Police Department would like to thank those citizens from Gibson Station that took the time to get involved and called police. This is another example of citizens and police working together to make our community safer.
Anyone with information regarding these incidents is requested to contact Detective Theresa Aguilera at (831) 636-4330. People wishing to remain anonymous may call WeTip at (800) 78-CRIME. Information provided to WeTip may qualify for a reward.
