The man suspected of setting fire on the roof of a local pizza shop and damaging the store’s HVAC system has been arrested.
Gilbert Florez, 45, of the 100 block of Topaz Place, is charged with one count of arson. The charge is a fourth-degree felony.
About 10:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 18, a Las Cruces police officer traveling on Solano Drive spotted flames on the roof of the Papa John’s store at 1701 S. Solano Dr. The officer contacted Central Dispatch to alert Las Cruces fire and then evacuated the restaurant.
Officers then saw a man, later identified as Florez, on the roof of the Papa John’s. Officers gave commands for Florez to come down from the roof. He ultimately came down from the building and was taken into custody.
Firefighters extinguished the fire, contained to the roof, and there was no significant damage to the building. No injuries were reported.
When police and fire investigators inspected the roof, they saw visible damage to the store’s HVAC system and a pair of two-by-fours that had been set on fire. Investigators determined the fire was set intentionally and damage to the HVAC system was deliberate.
Florez was arrested and booked into the Dona Ana County Detention Center where he’s initially being held without bond.
Information from Las Cruces Police