47-year-old Marina man convicted for firebombing a car; Monterey County DA’s office

SEASIDE, Calif. (KION-TV) -- UPDATE November 8 at 9:52 a.m.: The Monterey County District Attorney's office announced Friday that a county jury convicted 47-year-old James Sloop of Marina on one count of arson.

Last May, Sloop drove to a Seaside neighborhood, parked his car, got out and paced around in front of the victim's house and driveway, according to the DA's office.

They say that he ended up pouring "an unknown ignitable fluid over the hood of a car," which caused an explosion and severe damage to the two vehicles sitting in the driveway.

The DA's office said that Sloop fled the scene but was captured on a variety of surveillance cameras. Because this is Sloop's third strike offense under the state's Three Strikes Law, the DA's office says that he will be facing a maximum sentence of 35 years to life in state prison.

His sentencing is scheduled for January 15, 2025.

UPDATE May 8th at 7:37 A.M.: Seaside Police say they've made an arrest in connection to a car that was set on fire last week.

According to officials, 47-year-old James Sloop has been arrested after being suspected of firebombing a car on Highland and Plumas last Wednesday. The motive is still unknown at this time.

ORIGINAL: Seaside Police needs help finding the person accused of setting fire to a car in the city on May 1, 2024.

Police said it happened overnight on Highland Street near Plumas Avenue.

Investigators said the suspect approached the vehicle and put gasoline on the car before setting it on fire.

There's no description provided of the suspect or any vehicle the individual could have possibly been in.

Police are asking anyone with security video in the Del Rey Oaks area or along Highland and Plumas to please share it so they can bring the suspect into custody.

Police are also looking at where the person came from or went using their FLOCK camera system.