Man arrested for arson for fire behind a business in Capitola

March 12, 2025 6:44 PM

Published March 12, 2025 1:32 PM

CAPITOLA, Calif. (KION-TV) -- An unidentified man was arrested after lighting a pile of cardboard on fire on 41st Avenue in Capitola last week.

According to Capitola Police, there were reports of a pile of cardboard on fire behind a closed business.

While arriving on the scene, officers detained a person at the scene who was found to have a lighter in hand.

that suspect had been arrested before this incident for burglary, theft and vandalism of several Capitola businesses.

when arrested, officers discovered he had a felony warrant for another arson.

They were arrested on charges of arson and prowling.

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Sergio Berrueta

Sergio Berrueta has been in the news for quite awhile going from studying print media to entering the realm of broadcast.

Originally from Bell Gardens, California, in Southeast Los Angeles. Berrueta started his professional news career in Eureka as a newscast producer for North Coast News (now The Northstate’s News) at KAEF ABC 23 in 2022. He pivoted a year later in 2022 going from behind-the-scenes to in front of the camera as a multimedia journalist for Redwood News Channel 3 (KIEM/KVIQ) also in Eureka.

Berrueta studied journalism at Humboldt State University (now Cal Poly Humboldt) earning his Bachelor’s Degree. Berrueta was a staff writer, page editor, social media manager and editor-in-chief of the university’s El Lenador, the only bilingual publication in all of Humboldt County.

Before moving to the North Coast, Berrueta had earned his Associate’s Degree at East Los Angeles College in 2019 after beginning his educational journey in 2012. He also was on staff for the ELAC’s publication, ELAC Campus News, having been a staff writer, page editor, and online editor.

Outside of news experience, Berrueta has also been in education as an AmeriCorps tutor in East Hollywood from 2017 to 2019 and served in a government role as a National Hometown Fellow for Lead for America with the City of Arcata in 2021.

When not focusing on news, Berrueta is an avid amateur cinephile having written about films in free time. He also writes poetry, attempting to get through a backlog of video games, enjoys visiting new places along the California Coast, and trying to keep up with the latest music and podcasts.