REDWOOD CITY — A former security guard who worked at buildings in South San Francisco and Redwood City has pleaded not guilty to seven felony counts of arson. He is accused of setting fires compulsively in trash cans, Dumpsters, portable toilets and, in one case, a bush.

Jason Glines, 22, of San Bruno, provided statements to local law enforcement that implicate him in the setting of seven individual fires between January and early this month, Chief Deputy District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe said.

Glines has lit shredded paper in a trash can, ignited cardboard in Dumpsters, kindled a bush and leaves, and set aflame paper toilet covers inside portable toilets, according to the District Attorney's Office.

Glines always reported the fires to 911 immediately after setting them, and none except for the burning bush posed much danger, Wagstaffe said.

Authorities arrested Glines on March 8 after he reported two fires in one day and investigators noted that he possessed the same brand of matches used to set both fires, authorities said.

Glines faces up to seven years in prison for the felony arson charges.

He is expected to return to court April 13 for a preliminary hearing. He remains in custody in lieu of $70,000 bail.

Source: www.mercurynews.com - Link