Chula Vista police have arrested 28-year-old Christopher Treyvoun Jenkins as the alleged arsonist behind a fire at the Alliance of Californians for Community Empowerment office Friday.
The fire was thought to be politically motivated, but Jenkins told investigators he lit it because of an ongoing dispute with the property management company and its tenants over the disposal of his belongings. Jenkins is homeless and might have been residing on the property without permission, Lt. Kenny Heinz said in a press release.
Police also believe Jenkins is responsible for burglaries at the property in January and June.
“There wasn’t any evidence that the crimes were in any way politically motivated or related to any hate crimes,” Capt. Phil Collum said.
In detailing the fire on social media and to reporters, Alliance of Californians for Community Empowerment, or ACCE, said they believed they were targeted for their work in support of two contentious rent control measures this election. They had received threatening messages, and the fire originated where campaign signs were stored.
“Given the information that we had and the political moment that we are in, many of us feared that the attack was politically motivated,” the group said in a press release. “We are relieved to hear that this wasn’t the case.
“We note with regret that the arsonist was an unhoused person,” it continued. “The sad irony is that ACCE fights for housing rights. No one should have to suffer from acts of violence like this one. And no one should be subject to the challenges that the most vulnerable sections of our society face as a result of the housing crisis.”
ACCE said donations that poured in from across the country will go toward helping it rebuild in Chula Vista so it can continue serving the community.
Jenkins will be booked into county jail on arson and burglary charges.
