Cops nab alleged Livermore firebug

A 17-year-old male was arrested Monday afternoon on suspicion of starting a string of recent fires in Livermore, police said.

At about 2 p.m. Monday, a Livermore police officer was on patrol and saw firefighters responding to a grass fire in the area of Elm and K streets.

Upon arrival, the officer saw a teen boy at the scene as well as a UPS truck driver going about his business. The UPS truck driver spoke with the officer and said the boy was the only other person he had seen in the area where the fire began.

The officer spoke with the teen boy and noticed a lighter sticking out of his pocket, police said.

The juvenile initially told the officer that he didn’t start the fire, but admitted to being at some of the other fires. The teen ultimately admitted to being responsible for all of the recent fires, police said.

The juvenile was arrested for eight counts of arson, police said. Anyone with information about the arson acts is asked to call the Livermore Police Department at (925) 294-7531.

— Hannah Albarazi, Bay City News