Menifee Fugitive Captured In Arizona: Arson, Animal Cruelty

MENIFEE, CA — A fugitive wanted for setting an alleged arson fire at a Menifee home in June that killed two animals has been captured at an Arizona motel.

Sean Joshua Halas — who was on probation for an attempted second-degree murder conviction — was arrested Tuesday at the Lodge by the River in Bullhead City by a multi-agency task force.

Halas, 52, is currently in custody in Arizona awaiting extradition back to California, the Riverside County District Attorney's office said.

He had been out of custody and on probation for less than a week at the time of the June 24 fire on Shoreline Drive.

Witnesses told investigators that a pickup truck was seen leaving the home about 30 seconds before an explosion and fire at the rear of the Menifee residence.

A dog and bird were killed in the blaze.

Arson investigators determined that Halas had lived at the home prior to being convicted of attempted murder and had lived there again since being released from custody. He also drove a pickup matching the description of the one seen leaving just before the fire, according to the DA's office.

On July 31, a warrant for Halas's arrest was issued. Investigators determined he fled to Arizona from California. With help from Arizona law enforcement, he was taken into custody without incident, the DA's office said.

Halas is being charged with arson and animal cruelty, according to the DA's office.

Halas was convicted by a Riverside County jury on Jan. 22 of attempted second-degree
murder, domestic violence, and assault causing great bodily injury.

"At sentencing on June 18, 2020, our office asked that Halas be sentenced to nine years in prison," the DA's office said in a news brief. "The judge sentenced Halas to 365 days in custody with credit for time served and three years of formal probation."