Man arrested in alleged arson attack in El Cajon

EL CAJON (CNS) – A 53-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of arson after a room where he lived was set on fire, El Cajon authorities said Saturday.

Police responded Friday afternoon to reports that a tenant and landlord were in a dispute at a residence, according to the El Cajon Police Department.

“Officers responded and the tenant locked himself in his room. He stated he was going to sleep,” the department said in a statement. “Other roommates stated they were going to sleep elsewhere for the night.”

It was reported that no crime was committed at that time.

El Cajon Police and Fire Departments returned to the residence later in the day after receiving reports of a fire in the structure.

“The tenant’s room had been set on fire. The tenant was not at the scene when police arrived, but two other roommates were in the house. No one was injured,” police said.

The San Diego Police Department found the suspect a short time later with a plastic bottle filled with gasoline and a rag sticking out of the top of the bottle in his vehicle, according to a department statement.

He was identified as Jose Orozco and was arrested on suspicion of arson and possession of a destructive device, police said.

Orozco has an extensive criminal history, including arrests on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon, elder abuse, drunken driving, carjacking and drug offenses, the department said.

Authorities urged anyone with additional information about the incident to contact ECPD at 619-579-3311 or Crime Stoppers.