Fifteenth Car Set Ablaze in Northern California

Police are increasing patrols after an arsonist set another car on fire in Contra Costa County in Northern California.

After a car fire in El Sobrante around 5:15 a.m. Tuesday, authorities say at least 15 cars have been torched in either El Sobrante or neighboring Richmond in the past week.

In the latest blaze, sheriff’s deputies saw a possible suspect near the scene of the fire. Deputies say he matched the description of a person seen running away from at least one of the other fires.

The arsonist first hit Wednesday, when six blazes consumed 11 vehicles.

Three more vehicles were destroyed over the weekend.

Investigators say the arsonist breaks into the vehicles and uses combustible material to set them ablaze.