Two more suspects arrested in arson case
Police arrested two more suspects in connection to the Mesa Heights apartment complex fire that occurred in January. On Tuesday, Yuma police officers located and arrested James Mee, 25, and Trayvon Johnson, 18. Both are facing multiple felony charges.
According to the Yuma County Detention Center website, Mee is facing charges of aggravated criminal damage/defacing property; assisting a criminal street gang by committing a felony, conspiracy-arson of a structure/ property; intentionally organizing, managing and directing a gang; and possession of a weapon by a prohibited person.
Johnson is facing charges of aggravated criminal damage/defacing property; assisting a criminal street gang by committing a felony; and conspiracy-arson of structure/property.
Three other suspects in the arson fire that damaged more than 20 properties have already been taken into custody. Daniel Molina, 18, and a 17-yearold boy were located and arrested by officers on April 11. Police said both are primary suspects in this case and are facing multiple counts of arson and endangerment.
A 16-year-old boy was also arrested and was charged with conspiracy and witness tampering, YPD said.
Another suspect, Devon Munson, 18, has not yet been located, according to YPD spokesperson Sgt. Lori Franklin.
The fire broke out just before 3:30 a.m. on Jan. 29, at the Mesa Heights apartment complex, which is still under construction in the 2100 block of Arizona Avenue. Nearby residents were evacuated.
More than 20 properties were damaged and six buildings were totally destroyed, including an apartment building and five homes. Six other vehicles or structures sustained significant damage, and there were 15 other small yard and debris fires, one of which burned a carport screen.
The case is still under investigation. Anyone with any information regarding this arson is asked to call the Yuma Police Department at (928) 783-4421 or 78-CRIME (928-782-7463) to remain anonymous.