Patterson, CA (February 11, 2026) — Stanislaus County District Attorney Jeff Laugero announced that Flavio Alvarez, 26, of Patterson, has been convicted by a jury of arson in connection with a March 2025 structure fire. According to the District Attorney’s Office, firefighters responded on March 11, 2025, to a fire at an abandoned car wash in Patterson. The building was fully engulfed when crews arrived. Fire Investigator Trista Bowen determined the fire was intentionally set and ruled out any accidental cause. Investigators identified a mattress as the point of origin, and remnants of the mattress were later located in the debris.
A subsequent investigation by the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Department led authorities to Alvarez. Shortly after the fire, Sheriff’s Deputy Peter Bizzini contacted Alvarez and found him in possession of two matchbooks with multiple matches missing, according to prosecutors. The District Attorney’s Office stated that Alvarez admitted to starting the fire and told deputies he had an “urge to start the fire.” He also reportedly said he ignited the mattress, a detail investigators testified was known only to the person who set the fire.
The District Attorney’s Office further stated that Alvarez was alleged to have been on probation at the time of the fire for failing to register as a sex offender. Prosecutors have also alleged that Alvarez has previously been convicted of a serious and violent crime and has previously been sentenced to prison. Those allegations are pending determination in a separate court trial on factors in aggravation.
If the enhancement allegations are found true, Alvarez could face up to 17 years in state prison.
The Stanislaus Regional Fire Investigation Unit investigated the case, with assistance from the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Office. Deputy District Attorney Matt Begoun prosecuted the case on behalf of the People.
