FULLERTON – Investigators have arrested a woman police say was responsible for setting up to 28 fires throughout the city since September.

Authorities have been asking for the public’s help trying to find the culprit after discovering blazes in public places including garbage bins, mailboxes, bushes and even a car.

The arrested 24-year-old woman, Eun “Esther” Cha, had been identified within the Police Department earlier as a possible suspect. Fullerton Sgt. Jon Radus declined to give details on how she became the focus of the probe, citing the ongoing investigation.

“We started conducting surveillance and identified certain patterns,” Radus said.

At 3:50 a.m. Sunday, police saw her in the 1200 block of North Gilbert Street, where many of the past fires were set, unsuccessfully trying to ignite the contents of a large trash bin, Radus said; she allegedly moved on to try and set fire to bushes under an electrical panel at an apartment complex, failing this time as well.

Officers arrested Cha on suspicion of arson, and she admitted to setting multiple fires in the area in the past, Radus said, adding that she was also in possession of a controlled substance and drug paraphernalia.

She is being held in lieu of $1 million.

Anyone with information about the fires or Cha was asked to call Sgt. Kathryn Hamel at 714-738-5336. Those who want to stay anonymous can call Orange County Crime Stoppers at 855-TIP-OCCS or visit occrimestoppers.org.

Contact the writer: 714-796-7865 or afausto@scng.com