San Diego Criminal Attorneys Blog

Nicholas Figueroa, an 18 year old Vista resident, was arrested in Vista for Arson charges. He was arrested in the 500 block of East Vista Way by San Diego Sheriff patrol deputies. According to the Sheriff's Department, the arson Mr. Figueroa committed occurred on Saturday at the South Santa Fe Car Wash on 980 S. Santa Fe. At first, there wasn't any suspect information until investigators had gathered video surveillance from local surrounding businesses, enabling them to link Mr. Figueroa to the arson. Over the course of the investigation authorities had found evidence linking Mr. Figueroa to other Vista fires starting from the beginning of this year. Authorities had recognized him immediately after viewing the footage and remembered him from being suspects of previous fires in the area.

Mr. Figueroa was taken to the Vista jail on suspicion of five accounts of arson, and two counts of commercial burglary. Bail was set at 250,000 dollars due to the seriousness of his crimes committed.

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North County Times, VISTA: Suspected arsonist arrested July 29, 2010

Struggling Ramona businessman, James A. Kurtenbach, is being prosecuted for murder and arson charges. Mr. Kurtenbach, 48, is accused of arranging his house to be burned down by one of his employees, Joseph Nesheiwat, who died in an explosion while burning down the rental home on Mount Woodson drive. Mr. Kurtenbach has plead not guilty to all charges.

San Diego County prosecutors allege Mr. Kurtenbach's motive for burning down this home was do to financial troubles stemming from back property and other taxes on homes he owned. The home was insured for about $900,000 had he collected the insurance proceeds. He allegedly has overdue $39,543.21 in property taxes from 2006 on this home and $16,000 on another home in Poway in addition to $3 million dollars in unpaid sales taxes generated by his gas station business.

Trial is scheduled for January 12, 2010 at the El Cajon Courthouse. Witnesses are expected to testify that Mr. Kurtenbach made occasional statements about burning down the house. He is currently out on a $2 million dollar bond.