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San Diego

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A 29-year-old San Diego restaurant owner suspected of setting fire to his Imperial Avenue eatery was arrested Tuesday, a Fire Department spokesman said.

John Raheb, who was under surveillance by FBI and Metro Arson Strike Team investigators since the Aug. 5 blaze of JR’s International Restaurant, was picked up in the 4600 block of Calle de Vida in Tierrasanta about 10 p.m., a fire investigator said.

Investigators who were following Raheb in an unmarked car stopped him after Raheb spotted them, said Jerry Van Wey of the Metro Arson Strike Team.

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Raheb was taken to the federal Metropolitan Correctional Center.

Van Wey said the motive for the crime is not known. Damage to the restaurant was estimated at $50,000.

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