SANTA CRUZ—A Santa Cruz man was arrested Saturday after allegedly setting a house on fire while people were still inside.
Ryan Lee Brand, 45, was charged with attempted murder and arson. He was booked into Santa Cruz County Jail in lieu of $750,000 bail, jail records showed.
Brand reportedly set a house on fire in the area of 25th Avenue and East Cliff Drive in the Pleasure Point neighborhood.
The incident occurred on Brand’s 45th birthday, according to jail records.
The occupants made it out safely, Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s spokeswoman Ashley Kehn said.
Brand knows the victims, Keehn said. The motive is still under investigation.
