San Rafael, CA – On Monday, July 22, 2024, a suspect went to the Target Store in San Rafael and purposely lit a trashcan on fire using a flammable accelerant.  This case is being actively investigated and the San Rafael Police Department is asking for the public’s assistance in identifying and locating the suspect responsible.   The suspect is considered dangerous and should not be approached.

Just before midnight at 11:57 PM, surveillance video captured a suspect in the act of starting a fire against the building’s exterior.  The suspect is seen bringing a small bag of trash and a cardboard box to a trashcan just outside an exit door.  The suspect stages the items and douses them in a flammable accelerant that came from a white plastic jug. The suspect also pours the flammable accelerant into the trashcan.    

The suspect then lights the cardboard box on fire and places it in the trashcan.  The fire immediately ignites and flashes inside the trashcan, which seems to have surprised the suspect.  It is possible the suspect may have been injured from the sudden ignition. The fire caused over $2,500.00 in damage to the building.

Due to this serious and dangerous incident, the San Rafael Police Department is asking for the public’s assistance in identifying and locating the suspect.  Anyone with information about who the suspect is can call 415-485-3000 or go online to: www.srpd.org/tips.  The suspect is considered highly dangerous and should not be approached under any circumstances.

Below is a photograph and surveillance video of the suspect.