A man was arrested on suspicion of arson after a fire broke out in front of the Delta College Center for Microscopy and Allied Science (CMAS) building on July 27.
The fire started around 9 p.m. near a trash can in the front of the CMAS building, which spread to nearby bushes and foliage. The building itself was not damaged, but the San Joaquin Delta College District Police Department sent out a Mustang Alert informing students and urging evacuation.
According to Delta’s Executive Director of Marketing and Communications Alex Breitler, initial reports indicated the building itself could have been on fire. District police responded to ensure the building was evacuated.
District police arrested a man on suspicion of arson near the corner of Pacific Avenue and Swain Road, according to Breitler.
According to the San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office’s “Who is in Custody” website, a Robert Joseph Lopez, 47, was arrested by Delta police and booked into the San Joaquin County Jail at 2:02 a.m. on July 28 on suspicion of arson, vandalism and violation of probation or parole. After an initial court appearance on July 29, he is scheduled for further arraignment on Aug. 14 at 8:30 a.m., according to San Joaquin County Court records.
“The arrest was made only about two hours after the fire itself, highlighting the quick and thorough work by Delta police,” said Breitler. “We’re grateful for their professionalism and commitment.”
