A 53-year-old Modesto man who was observed lighting up a Modesto Bee newspaper rack in front of the 99 Cents Only store on Hatch Road was arrested and jailed Tuesday afternoon, July 26.

Witnesses saw Travis Treat set fire to the rack at 2:13 p.m. and called 9-1-1. 

Officer Tony Scopesi arrived and located Treat nearby. Witnesses positively identified Treat as the man who lit the fire.

Treat was booked into the Stanislaus County Public Safety Center on a charge of arson.