Vallejo arson suspect arrested for attempted murder, kidnapping, rape: VPD

(KRON) — A 39-year-old man from Vallejo was arrested on June 7 for attempting to murder a man with fire and also sexually assaulting a woman, according to the Vallejo Police Department.

The suspect, Joshua Bryan Anderson, was arrested following an investigation by Vallejo Police Department detectives. The investigation began on May 10 at 6:27 a.m., when the Vallejo Fire Department and the Vallejo Police Department responded to a fire burning below an overpass near the intersection of Lincoln Road and Solano Avenue.

Authorities found a man suffering from severe burns at the scene. He was taken to a local hospital where he was treated for a life-threatening injury. Investigators deemed the fire arson and began looking for a suspect.

“After assessing the scene, the Vallejo Fire Department’s arson investigator concluded that the fire had been set intentionally, indicating an act of arson and attempted murder,” VPD said in a press release issued on June 7.

During the investigation, VPD identified a second victim who told detectives that she was sexually abused by the same man who set the fire.

“An adult female came forward and reported that she had been forcibly taken and held against her will during the same time frame,” VPD said. “She informed detectives that she had been attacked, forced to use narcotics, and sexually assaulted by the suspect responsible for the arson.”

At 10:57 a.m. on June 7, VPD officers found and arrested Anderson while searching a homeless camp near 330 Avian Drive. Anderson is a registered sex offender who is currently on parole for domestic violence. He also had two outstanding warrants for parole violation.

Anderson was booked into the Solano County Jail on charges of attempted murder, aggravated mayhem, kidnapping, rape, domestic violence and assault with a deadly weapon. Vallejo PD Chief Jason Ta called the alleged crimes a “violent and traumatic incident that left two victims in need of immediate help and long-term support.”

“I commend the survivor for coming forward and our officers and detectives for their swift and determined efforts to identify and arrest the suspect,” Ta said. “The Vallejo Police Department remains focused on removing violent offenders from our streets and standing with those impacted by these crimes.”