On the afternoon of Tuesday, Aug. 20, Alameda Police Department (APD)Property Crimes Unit investigators culminated a long arson investigation with the arrest of a suspect in the July 13 playground structure fire at Woodstock Park.

With the help of a school resource officer, the investigators arrested a juvenile male for starting the fire. This investigation began during the pre-dawn hours when patrol officers responded to the park and found the playground structure engulfed in flames. 

The fire destroyed the playground structure and replacement cost was estimated at more than $200,000.

Fire investigators confirmed that it had been deliberately set. In the subsequent investigation, detectives searched for and collected evidence for this crime, including surveillance footage. They conducted numerous interviews of possible witnesses and persons of interest before developing probable cause to make their arrest.

The investigators are not seeking any additional suspects in this case.