By SDCN Editor
El Cajon, CA–A tenant was arrested Friday on suspicion of arson at his El Cajon residence following a dispute with a landlord, authorities said.
El Cajon police officers first responded to a landlord and tenant dispute at the residence. When officers arrived, the tenant locked himself inside his room. The tenant stated he was going to sleep. Additional roommates at the residence stated they were going to sleep somewhere else for the night. Officers determined that no crime had occurred at that time.
On Friday night, officers and the El Cajon Fire Department responded to the residence for a structure fire. The tenant’s room had been lit on fire. He fled the scene when police arrived but two other roommates were in the house. No one was injured, according to the El Cajon Police Department.
Later that evening, San Diego Police located the man. A plastic bottle filled with gasoline and a rag on top was found in the tenant’s vehicle. He was arrested for arson and possession of a destructive device.
According to El Cajon Police, the tenant, identified as 53-year-old Jose Orozco of El Cajon, has an extensive criminal history including arrests for assault with a deadly weapon, elder abuse, DUI, auto theft, and drug offenses.
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.
