SFPD Arrest Serial Arsonist

On November 11, 2013, the San Francisco Police arrested Richard Koontz, a 72 year-old resident of San Francisco, on multiple counts of arson. Koontz was arrested for a series of arson incidents that spanned a 48 hour period.

The San Francisco Fire Department Bureau of Fire Investigations contacted the San Francisco Police Arson Investigators on the morning of November 11, 2013, after a series of early morning arson incidents in which Koontz was identified as a possible suspect. Koontz was identified by evidence obtained tying him to numerous arson incidents. Koontz was subsequently located and taken into custody without incident.

The collaborative efforts of Inspectors Stephen Engler, Edward Lobrado of the SFFD BFI Unit, Inspector John Miller of the SFPD Arson Unit, and Northern and Central Police Station Patrol units led to the arrest of a serial arsonist. Richard Koontz, of San Francisco was arrested and booked for six counts of Possession of Flammable or Combustible Material and six counts of Arson.

Anyone that has further information on these crimes is encouraged to call Police Inspector John Miller at 415-920-2944 or the Anonymous Tip Line at 415-575-4444. There is no booking photo available at this time, because there are several identification matters pending.