Arson suspect arrested in Santa Cruz, police say

SANTA CRUZ, Calif. (KION-TV)- UPDATE ON MARCH 12 AT 2:38 P.M.- Santa Cruz Police have arrested a 42-year-old man who allegedly started a fire near a cross of a Santa Cruz church last Friday.

Investigators said identified the suspect as 42-year-old Don Marc Allen Louis who was arrested on Tuesday afternoon.

Police said that Louis was spotted near the train tracks near Coral Street where he was later arrested.

Santa Cruz Police said their Homeless Response Team used surveillance footage and were able identify Louis as the primary suspect from a prior enforcement encounter.

Louis allegedly started a fire near a cross of Holy Cross Church on the 200 block of High Street.

Louis was arrested and booked into the Santa Cruz County Jail on arson charges.

Investigators said the motive for the fire remains under investigation.

Original Story

Santa Cruz Police are looking for a man who allegedly started a fire at a church on Friday night.

Officers said they received a call of a fire near a cross on the grounds of Holy Cross Church on 200 block of High Street around 11:30 p.m.

Firefighters and officers said they noticed flames coming near a cross and the fire was extinguished.

Video surveillance showed a man loitering near the cross for nearly half an hour when smoke was spotted.

Investigators said the man left heading west towards Highway 1.

The suspect is described a Hispanic man who was wearing a black hat, grey hoodie with dark writing and wearing black pants.

If you have any information, you can contact Santa Cruz Police at (831) 420-5995