Arrest Made in Latest Santa Rosa Arson Investigation 

On September 9, 2026, at 3:01 a.m., Santa Rosa Police Department (SRPD) officers and Santa Rosa Fire Department (SRFD) personnel were dispatched to the 1100 block of South Wright Road following a report of a person starting fires. Witnesses reported two separate fires close in proximity to one another, and a male suspect wrapped in a white blanket running southbound on South Wright Road toward a culvert beneath the roadway.  

Firefighters arrived and located two fires burning in cut dry seasonal grass. The fires were both quickly extinguished and contained to 40 by 10 feet and 10 by 5 feet areas.     

Upon arrival of SRPD, officers contacted a witness, who pointed out the suspect's location inside the culvert. Officers located the suspect, later identified as Wuilton DeLeon Reyes, a 46-year-old transient, inside the culvert next to a light-colored blanket. After receiving commands, DeLeon Reyes complied and was safely detained.  

Officers discovered DeLeon Reyes was on misdemeanor probation for an unrelated conviction. Pursuant to the terms of his probation, officers searched DeLeon Reyes and located two Bic lighters and empty cigarette wrapping material.  

An SRFD fire investigator was requested to the incident and based on the investigation, officers arrested Reyes for arson-related offenses and violation of probation, then booked him into the Sonoma County Main Adult Detention Facility.  

DeLeon Reyes was previously arrested on July 13, 2026, after being identified through area security camera footage as the suspect in a separate case of arson. Investigators from SRFD and SRPD determined DeLeon Reyes had set a backyard fence and couch on fire in the 700 block of A Street. Shortly after being identified by investigators, DeLeon Reyes was contacted and arrested by officers with the SRPD Downtown Enforcement Team. DeLeon Reyes's court case for this incident is still pending and has not yet been adjudicated.  

The Santa Rosa Police Department and Santa Rosa Fire Department would like to thank the alert community members who observed suspicious activity and immediately reported it to emergency dispatchers in this latest incident. Their quick actions and detailed information were instrumental in helping officers rapidly locate and arrest the suspect.  

As hot and dry conditions continue to increase the risk of fire spread, SRPD and SRFD encourage residents to remain vigilant and immediately report suspicious activity. Santa Rosa City Code requires that properties in the Wildland Urban Interface (WUI), vacant lots and parcels over 5 acres in size comply with the City’s weed abatement ordinance. This requires that seasonal grasses be cut to 4” in height during the locally declared Fire Season. These requirements and a quick response from SRFD kept the fires from spreading and threatening nearby homes.  

Residents of Santa Rosa are encouraged to visit the City’s WUI webpage to learn whether their property is located in a designated fire hazard area and to understand the requirements that help reduce wildfire risk. This site provides valuable information on defensible space, vegetation management, home hardening, and other steps residents can take to better protect their homes, families, and neighborhoods from wildfire. Visit the WildfireReady webpage here. 

Anyone who sees a fire, observes someone attempting to start a fire, or witnesses suspicious behavior involving combustible materials should call 911 immediately.  

The SRPD and SRFD have investigated numerous fires this summer; investigations into the recent fires remain ongoing. Anyone with information related to suspicious fires is encouraged to contact the SRPD Property Crimes Investigations Team tip line at 707-543-3575 or submit an anonymous tip at www.srcity.org/CrimeTips.  

The Santa Rosa Police Department and Santa Rosa Fire Department remain committed to aggressively investigating arson crimes, holding offenders accountable, and protecting the community from the dangers posed by intentionally set fires.  

Media inquiries for the Santa Rosa Police Department can be directed to Sgt. Patricia Seffens, Public Information Officer, at 707-543-3634 or pseffens@srcity.org.  

Media inquiries for the Santa Rosa Fire Department can be directed to Division Chief Fire Marshal Paul Lowenthal at 707-543-3542 or plowenthal@srcity.org.