The San Ramon Police Department on Tuesday announced the arrest of a man after a pair of vegetation fires were set to the open hills on both Sunday and Monday.

Police identified the suspect as William R. Priest, 39, of San Ramon.

On Sunday (9/23), and Monday (9/24), two separate vegetation fires occurred in San Ramon near Pradera Way, in the open hills. The fire that occurred on Sunday was located within the city limits of San Ramon. The fire that occurred Monday was determined to have been started in open space belonging to East Bay Regional Parks.

San Ramon Police learned of a witness who observed a subject fleeing the area of the fire on Monday. San Ramon Police Department Detectives, working in conjunction with Detectives from East Bay Regional Parks Police and the San Ramon Valley Fire Protection District identified the subject and subsequently arrested him near a residence he is associated with, in San Ramon.

East Bay Regional Parks Police booked the suspect into the Martinez Detention Facility for violation of 451PC – Arson. He is being held on $75,000 bail.

The San Ramon Police department would like to thank the citizens of San Ramon for their continued support and information leading to the identification of the suspect. Additionally, we would like to thank the East Bay Regional Parks Police and San Ramon Valley Fire Protection District for their efforts and response. This was a great collaborative effort between the citizens of San Ramon and the aforementioned agencies.

If anybody has any additional information related to this investigation, or to report a crime, please contact our Dispatch Center at (925) 973-2779 (non-emergency) or 911 in the event of an emergency.

Information provided by San Ramon Police