Pasadena Man Allegedly Threatens to Set Neighbor’s Home on Fire

A 35-year-old man was taken into custody late March 28 after allegedly pouring gasoline on a neighbor’s front yard and threatening to set the house on fire, according to Pasadena Police Lieutenant Anthony Russo.

Russo said officers responded at approximately 8:35 p.m. to the 800 block of Merrett Drive after a resident reported that their neighbor, identified as Maximiliano Guzman Lopez, had poured gasoline from a canister onto their lawn and verbally threatened to burn down the home. A second witness separately corroborated the account, Russo said.

Upon arrival at Lopez’s residence, officers saw a gasoline canister and attempted to make contact with the suspect, who was inside a detached garage. Russo said Lopez refused to come out, barricaded himself inside, and threatened to ignite the property.

The Pasadena Police Department’s SWAT team was called to the scene, and crisis negotiators engaged Lopez for about five hours. Russo reported that SWAT eventually deployed a distraction device, after which Lopez surrendered without further incident.

No property damage was reported, and no force was used by officers during the arrest, Russo confirmed. Lopez was booked on suspicion of attempted arson, criminal threats, and resisting arrest.

The victim was not injured Russo said.

Anyone with information about this case is encouraged to call the Pasadena Police at (626) 744-4241 or report information anonymously by contacting “Crime Stoppers” at (800) 222-TIPS (8477) via your smartphone by downloading the “P3 Tips” Mobile App on Google Play or the Apple App Store, or by using the website http://lacrimestoppers.org