WATSONVILLE — The FBI has offered a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the suspect who started a fire at the Planned Parenthood in Watsonville on July 20.
An unknown suspect used an accelerant to start the blaze at the clinic at 398 South Green Valley Road at about 4 a.m.
The fire smoldered until about 7 a.m. when a community member noticed smoke coming from the building and called 911.
Watsonville firefighters extinguished the fire within minutes of arriving on scene. The fire caused moderate damage to the building.
The clinic was temporarily closed, and employees were sent to other locations, and patients were referred to other clinics.
Watsonville Police detectives have been working with CalFire arson investigators, agents from Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the FBI and U.S. Marshals to identify the arsonist.
WPD has released a video of the arsonist in hopes someone will recognize them.
“At this point, we’re asking for the community’s help in identifying the person seen on surveillance footage,” WPD spokeswoman Michelle Pulido said. “Although you cannot see the suspect’s face, we’re hoping someone will recognize this person based off of his/her physical description, clothing and mannerisms.”
Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Ely Uretsky at 768-3356, the Watsonville Police Department at 471-1151, the anonymous tip line at 768-3544, or the Watsonville Police Department’s Investigations Bureau at 768-3352.
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To view the video, visit tinyurl.com/y9gu7yby.
