Sheriff’s Deputies and Cal Fire CZU Investigators Arrest Moss Beach Suspect for Weekend Arson Fire in the outer Princeton Harbor

Over the weekend, San Mateo County Sheriff’s deputies, with the assistance of CAL FIRE/Coastside Fire Protection District (CFPD) investigators, quickly located and arrested an arson suspect who intentionally started a fire that caused extensive damage in the Princeton-by-the-Sea community.

During the early morning hours on Saturday, May 18, Sheriff’s deputies and CFPD personnel responded to the area of Airport St. and Yale Ave., on the report of a trailer on fire. While responding, the fire quickly spread to a nearby parked vehicle, and then to an adjacent building which houses several business storage units.

Deputies immediately evacuated nearby residents and set up a perimeter while firefighters were able to successfully contain the fire. Luckily, no one was injured in the fire. Initial damage estimates are believed to be in the tens of thousands of dollars.

An immediate joint investigation between Sheriff’s deputies and fire investigators began. The suspect was quickly identified as 29-year-old William A. Caneitzep of Moss Beach. Caneitzep was located by Sheriff’s deputies at around 8:30 p.m. on Saturday, at which point he was arrested and booked into the Maguire Correctional Facility for arson.

The San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office extends its gratitude to its partners at CAL FIRE and CFPD for their assistance with this investigation. Concerned community members also assisted with providing critical information to investigators.

The Sheriff’s Office encourages anyone with additional information to call the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office anonymous Tip Line at 1-800-547-2700. Additionally, community members are encouraged to report any suspicious activity to the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office.