Man suspected in 14 South Bay arson fires arrested

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Milpitas Office of the Fire Marshal concluded their investigation into the arsonist responsible for starting a grand total of 14 fires in Santa Clara County, identifying the suspect as 26-year-old Jeffrey Navarro Reyes.

The Milpitas Fire Department's chief fire enforcement officer arrested Reyes on Wednesday for willfully and maliciously starting fires on Oct. 14 and Dec. 8, both on Main Street in Milpitas.

The fire on Oct. 14 engulfed and burned the building that was formerly known as Milpitas Animal Hospital. It was demolished for public safety.

The fire on Dec. 8 had started as a brush fire and spread into a 50-foot palm tree on the lot that used to hold a mobile home park.

After more than 18 hours at the fire scenes, investigators also determined that Reyes was responsible for setting 12 separate fires on Interstate Highway 680 between Hostetter Road and Montague Expressway on Dec. 9.

Because the arson extended into San Jose, San Jose Fire Department's Arson Unit worked with investigators from California Highway Patrol and Milpitas Fire Department.

Reyes has been booked into the Santa Clara Main Jail on suspicion of three counts of arson. 

Anyone with more information on this case is encouraged to call Milpitas Chief Fire Enforcement Officer Eric Emmanuele at (408) 586-3383.