SANTA CRUZ — Santa Cruz County Sheriff Jim Hart on Friday identified the man thought to be responsible for deliberately starting the Bear Fire.
Marlan Dale Coy, 54, was charged with multiple counts of arson, with enhancements for causing great bodily injury.
Marlan Dale Coy
Coy was already in custody for looting one of the homes that were evacuated, and is also facing charges of assault with a semi-automatic firearm, jail records show. He is being held at Santa Cruz County Main Jail in lieu of $800,000 bail.
“Rarely have I seen a more reckless action than those connected by this depraved man,” Hart said. “If not for the heroic efforts by the first responders he could easily be facing murder charges today.”
The blaze started on Oct. 16 in the area of 475 Diane’s Way and scorched 391 acres, destroyed two homes, four outbuildings, 17 vehicles and five RV’s. A total of 13 firefighters were injured while battling the fire. One is still hospitalized.
A resident who lived on Hidden Springs Road returned on Oct. 17 to find their home had been burglarized. Missing was a bicycle, clothing and about $15,000 worth of jewelry.
As a deputy investigated the burglary, another deputy in Live Oak saw Coy, who was wanted on a warrant on separate charges.
Coy was riding the stolen bike, wearing the stolen clothes and carrying the stolen jewelry in a backpack. He has been in custody since then.
During the investigation into the cause of the fire, deputies interviewed three men who said they saw Coy set the fire, said Sheriff’s Lt. Todd Liberty.
Investigators believe that Coy set the fire in response to a dispute with someone connected to 475 Diane’s Way, where the fire began, and near where Coy lived, Sheriff’s Sgt. Chris Clark said.
Julia Cabibi, whose home was destroyed in the fire, had a dating relationship with Coy, Clark said.
Coy has denied starting the fire.
