San Fernando Man Suspected of Arson in Bombing of House

A San Fernando man has been arrested on suspicion of arson in connection with the firebombing of a San Fernando home early Wednesday, police said.

David Trijillo Ruiz, 31, was being held at San Fernando Police Station in lieu of $2,500 bail after an attack in which three incendiary devices were thrown at a house in the 1200 block of Lucas Street at about 1:30 a.m., Sgt. Michael Harvey said.

Although the house caught fire, none of the four people inside was injured, Harvey said. Damage was confined to one wall.

‘Longstanding Feud’

Police believe the motive of the attack stemmed from a “longstanding feud” between Ruiz and Daniel Salas, who was inside the house at the time of the bombings.

The owner of the house, Clarence Gammage, 60, first heard glass breaking in the rear of the house and went outside with a 16-year-old relative to investigate, according to a police report. They noticed a fire on the rear doorstep and saw a man running away.

Gammage tried to chase the man, but failed to catch up with him, Harvey said. The 16-year-old girl, whose name police would not release, put out the fire with a garden hose, he said.

2 Bottles Thrown

About 20 minutes later, the girl was standing in the doorway when she saw a man light two glass bottles filled with a flammable liquid and throw them at the house, Harvey said. Only one of them ignited, he said. The girl called out to the man, whom police said she knew by name, just as a side wall of the house caught fire, the sergeant said. Damage was minor, according to Fire Department officials.

Police were summoned and arrested Ruiz about 2:15 a.m. a few blocks from the house, Harvey said.