Merced police nab suspected arsonist

A 42-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of arson Sunday evening after trash can fires appeared in Gilbert Macias Park near East Childs Avenue and G Street.

Firefighters and police responded to reports of the fires at around 7 p.m., according to a press release.

Officers made contact with Rafael Alaniz Manzanarez in the park. Manzanarez told officers he’d been trying to light a cigarette when a trash can caught on fire. Another trash can about 15 yards away was also on fire.

According to authorities, Manzanarez said the second trash can also caught on fire when he was trying to light a cigarette. Firefighters put out both fires.

The suspect had a fixed-blade knife and two cigarette lighters, but no cigarettes, police said.

He was booked into the Merced County Jail, where he remains in lieu of $70,000 bail.

This story was originally published November 3, 2014 at 6:05 AM with the headline "Merced police nab suspected arsonist."