Suspected Arsonist Arrested After East County Vehicle Fire

SPRING VALLEY, CA — A 32-year-old man was arrested Sunday on suspicion of arson after authorities said he set fire to an SUV at a Spring Valley storage facility and then fled on foot.

Deputies responded around 11 a.m. to reports of a vehicle fire at a Public Storage facility in the 1200 block of Sweetwater Road, according to the San Diego County Sheriff's Office. A deputy nearby saw an SUV fully engulfed in flames and a man later identified as Randall Rojas, 32, walking away from the vehicle.

When the deputy tried to detain him, Rojas ran toward Jamacha Road and allegedly discarded evidence related to the fire while fleeing, sheriff's officials said. He was apprehended near the 8600 block of Jamacha Road.

Witnesses told investigators they saw Rojas in and around the SUV before and after the fire. Detectives with the Sheriff's Bomb and Arson Unit took over the investigation.

Authorities said a records check also revealed Rojas had two outstanding felony warrants. He was arrested on suspicion of arson and on the warrants and booked into San Diego Central Jail.

No injuries were reported in the fire.