Lake Elsinore Felon Who Torched Menifee Target Store Pleads Guilty

MENIFEE, CA — A 31-year-old Lake Elsinore felon accused of arson in a Menifee Target store fire that resulted in losses of $11.7 million pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 23 years in prison, Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department officials announced Tuesday.

Abel Arizmendi Jr. pleaded guilty to one count each of arson to a structure, arson during a state of emergency, and committing a crime with a previous strike on record — all felonies — according to information from the fire department.

Fire investigators said the blaze at the 30340 Haun Road Target store was reported at approximately 7:30 a.m. Jan. 22, 2023. When crews arrived that Sunday morning, they found the fire burning in the store's men's department.

Investigators linked the blaze to Arizmendi and found that he intentionally ignited "a device" and placed it in a trashcan inside the store, according to Cal Fire.

"The fire started in the trashcan and quickly spread to nearby clothing and parts of the building, resulting in substantial damage," the agency said. "The cost of the lost inventory, damage to the interior of the building, and restoration equaled $11.7 million dollars and took several months to repair."

Arizmendi was arrested in Lake Elsinore on Jan. 31, jail records showed. A subsequent search warrant was issued Feb. 8 for his residence where investigators found "additional evidence linking the suspect to the arson fire and to the serious violent crimes that occurred," according to a Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department news release.

Riverside County court records show Arizmendi has a lengthy criminal history dating back to 2012.

Near the time of the fire, heavy winter storms were pounding the region, prompting Gov. Gavin Newsom to declare a state of emergency. California law includes provisions that automatically trigger enhanced penalties for certain crimes committed during a declared state of emergency.