A jury convicted a Pittsburg man of 31 counts related to car fires all around Contra Costa County on Tuesday, in what authorities call the biggest serial arson case in the county’s history.
James Bishop III, 38, now faces 20 years in prison after being convicted of multiple counts of arson and possession of flammable material. He was convicted of starting fires in Antioch, Pittsburg, Concord, Lafayette, Walnut Creek, Brentwood, Martinez, Pleasant Hill and Benicia.
Deputy District Attorney Andrea Tavenier said it was “a miracle” no one was hurt or killed during the arson spree, which authorities say lasted from late 2016 to May 2017.
“James Bishop terrorized his community and posed a significant and substantial danger to his victims and the citizens of this county. He chose to ignite vehicles in the dead of night, most of which were parked in areas where the fire was likely to spread,” Tavenier said in a written statement.