Suspect threatened to light former employee on fire
El Centro police said a man tried to light a former employee and his property on fire.
ECPD said Friday at 12:30 p.m., officers were dispatched to the 1000 block of East Evan Hewes in reference to a report of arson.
Officers arrived and met with the victim who stated an ex-employee, identified as John Luna, 41-year-old El Centro resident, had poured gas all over the victim and threatened to light him and his property on fire. Luna then lit the nozzle end of a two gallon gas can on fire and threw it at a trailer on the property.
The trailer briefly caught fire but witnesses on scene were able to put the fire out. Luna left the location prior to officers arriving on scene. The department’s Special Enforcement Detail (SED) and K-9 Unit were tasked with apprehending Luna.
Surveillance was conducted at a location in the 200 block of West Heil Avenue where Luna was known to frequent. Officers were able to confirm Luna was inside a trailer located at the back of the property. They entered the property, surrounded the trailer, and ordered Luna to come out.
After a brief standoff, Luna exited the trailer and began to flee from officers. K-9 officers gave several verbal commands for Luna to surrender and informed him he would be bit if he failed to comply. Hearing this Luna gave up and was safely taken into custody. He was booked at the Imperial County Jail for felony threats and arson. This is yet another example of how our K-9 Unit’s mere presence led to the successful surrender of a potentially violent suspect. A barking canine has a tremendous deterrence effect on individuals who might otherwise fight with officers or attempt to flee.
