On June 11, detectives arrested a suspect in connection with the arson at the Animal Shelter that occurred last weekend.
At approximately 10:08 pm on June 6, emergency personnel responded to the Animal Shelter after receiving a burglar alarm, followed shortly by a fire alarm. After firefighters extinguished the blaze, fire investigators discovered evidence indicating the fire may have been intentionally set.
Property crime detectives reviewed surveillance footage from the area. Based on evidence recovered at the scene, investigators determined that the suspect used a rock to break a window and then ignited the fire using an improvised incendiary device.
Detectives later identified the suspect after he returned to the area.
On the morning of June 11, officers located the suspect in downtown Berkeley and arrested him without incident. The suspect, Peter Taraba, a 48-year-old man, was arrested on suspicion of arson and multiple counts of cruelty to animals.
We are grateful for the community’s continued support and appreciate the efforts of our investigators and officers in swiftly identifying and apprehending the suspect before any further harm could be caused to our community.
Case 2026-00024964
