Novato Man Arrested on Suspicion of Arson Near Skate Park

Henry Hodge was taken into custody at around 6:15 a.m. after police allegedly connected him with a vegetation fire in the open space north of Novato Skate Park, 1200 Hamilton Pkwy.

The incident unfolded when Novato Police responded to the open space area to assist with the investigation of an actively burning vegetation fire.

The fire was extinguished by Novato Fire District and was believed to have originated at a nearby homeless encampment.

NPD officers found no one in the area immediately after the fire, but located evidence connecting Hodge to the homeless encampment. A few hours later, NPD officers returned to the encampment and located Hodge.

Hodge, a probationer, was allegedly intoxicated, police said. He allegedly  admitted to negligently burning trash causing the vegetation fire.

Hodge was arrested, transported and booked into Marin County Jail.