San Diego County Crime Stoppers and investigators from the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department's Bomb/Arson Unit want the public's help to identify and locate the suspect who started a structure fire in Vista.

On January 17^th just after 2:00 a.m., deputies from the Vista Sheriff's Station responded to a fire behind the La Mexicana Market in the 400 block of N. Santa Fe Avenue.  The fire started in the alley behind the business and rapidly spread to neighboring businesses. 

Several apartments located above the market were also evacuated.  The fire caused an estimated $2,000,000 in damage.

The suspect is described as a Hispanic man between 20 and 35-years-old with dark short hair and a heavy build.  He was wearing a gray sweatshirt, dark colored shorts, white socks and dark colored shoes.  

Anyone with information about the suspect or his whereabouts is asked to call the Sheriff’s Bomb/Arson Unit at (619) 550-8158.  

You can also call the Crime Stoppers anonymous tip line at (888) 580-8477.  Crime Stoppers is offering up to a $1,000 reward to anyone with information that leads to an arrest in this case.  Visit our website at www.sdcrimestoppers.org to learn how to submit an anonymous web or mobile app tip.

Media inquiries about this case should be directed to Sheriff's Bomb/Arson Detective Arnold Van Lingen at (619) 540-6051 or email at Arnold.VanLingen@sdsheriff.org.

Media inquiries about Crime Stoppers can be directed to SDPD Officer Mark Herring at (619) 531-1500 or email at msherring@pd.sandiego.gov or Sheriff's Deputy Marcial Lopez at (619) 531-1547 or email at marcial.lopez@sdsheriff.org.