Police are increasing patrols after an arsonist set another car on fire in Contra Costa County.

After a car fire in El Sobrante around 5:15 a.m. Tuesday, authorities say at least 15 cars have been torched in either El Sobrante or neighboring Richmond in the past week.

In the latest blaze, sheriff's deputies saw a possible suspect near the scene of the fire. Deputies say he matched the description of a person seen running away from at least one of the other fires.

The arsonist first hit Wednesday, when six blazes consumed 11 vehicles.

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Three more vehicles were destroyed over the weekend.

Investigators say the arsonist breaks into the vehicles and uses combustible material to set them ablaze.

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Information from: San Francisco Chronicle, http://www.sfgate.com/chronicle