Man started fire in home while officers were standing outside, police say

SALT LAKE CITY — A man was arrested after police say he started a fire in his house while police were outside the home interviewing someone else early Saturday morning, according to an affidavit.

Omar Juarez, 29, was arrested and booked into Salt Lake County Jail on suspicion of aggravated arson, criminal mischief, interference with an arresting officer and intoxication, jail records state.

Officers responded to a report of a verbal argument at a residence located at 1966 W. 400 North, about 3 a.m., Salt Lake Police Sgt. Brandon Shearer said. According to the police affidavit, Juarez told an officer “he was going to burn down his house” if an individual identified in jail documents as "the victim" didn’t return his child to him.

He then went inside the home and lit an object on fire, causing flames visible from the outside the home as police talked with the victim, the affidavit stated. Officers made their way into the home and attempted to apprehend Juarez.

Juarez refused to be arrested and grabbed the officer’s fingers “in an effort to stop the arrest,” according to the affidavit. Juarez said he drank “four or five beers” prior to the argument, the document added.

The report also stated the fire-damaged property belonged to Juarez and the victim, but didn’t disclose an exact amount of damage caused.

Court records show Juarez has a criminal history of mostly traffic-related offenses in Utah.

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