THOUSAND OAKS : Possible Arson Link Under Investigation

Detectives are trying to determine whether a Thousand Oaks man arrested for allegedly setting fire to a trash bin can be linked to a series of arson fires at a Thousand Oaks synagogue.

Early Tuesday, sheriff’s deputies saw a man setting fire to a plastic trash bin on Thousand Oaks Boulevard in the east end of the city, Ventura County Sheriff’s Lt. George Conahey said.

Robert Michael Greene, 31, is being held on suspicion of arson in the trash bin fire. His bail has been set at $5,000.

“We have no witnesses and no evidence that would tie this guy to the temple stuff,” Conahey said. “But we always want to take a look at it.

The third suspicious fire in a month damaged Temple Adat Elohim on April 12, destroying an estimated $25,000 worth of the temple sanctuary. On March 11, an arsonist set fire to the sanctuary door, causing about $200 in damage. On March 31, a pre-dawn fire caused about $8,000 in damage to the same door.

The complaint against Greene will be reviewed by the district attorney’s office and sheriff’s detectives before additional charges can be filed. A decision is expected by today or Monday, Conahey said. The department has no other leads, he said.