TYPE OF INCIDENT: Man arrested for starting a house fire
DATE AND TIME OF INCIDENT: 09/06/2024 10:15 PM
LOCATION OF INCIDENT: 1300 block of Coker Way, El Cajon
RESUME OF INCIDENT:
On Friday afternoon, a landlord and tenant were in a dispute. El Cajon police officers responded and the tenant locked himself inside his room. The tenant stated he was going to go to sleep. Additional roommates stated they were going to go sleep somewhere else for the night. It was determined that no crime had occurred at that time.
On Friday night, El Cajon PD and FD responded back to the residence for a structure fire. The tenant’s room had been lit on fire. The tenant was not on scene when police arrived but two other roommates were in the house. No one was injured.
Detectives responded to the scene to assist with the investigation.
The tenant was later found by SDPD. A plastic bottle that was filled with gasoline and had a rag coming out of the top was located in the tenant’s vehicle. He was arrested for arson and for possession of a destructive device.
The tenant has extensive criminal history including arrests for assault with a deadly weapon, elder abuse, DUI, auto theft, and drug offenses.
Police identified the tenant as 53 year old Jose Orozco from El Cajon.
Anyone with additional information about these crimes should contact the El Cajon Police Department at 619-579-3311 or Crime Stoppers at www.sdcrimestoppers.org.
COMPLETED BY:
Lt. Eric Thornton
El Cajon Police Department
Patrol Division
REVIEWED BY:
Lt. Will Guerin
El Cajon Police Department
Investigations Division