The Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Department took a suspect into custody on Sunday afternoon after allegedly setting a structure on fire and barricading himself in a residence on Verduga Road. He is now facing multiple charges including attempted murder and arson.
Authorities responded to the 400 block of North Verduga Road Sunday morning on the report of a disturbance.
While deputies were enroute, they received report of a structure fire at the same address, said Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Department spokesperson Deputy Royjindar Singh. Through 911 calls, it was found that the subject causing the disturbance was also allegedly responsible for the fire.
Authorities have identified the suspect as George Nazar, 51, according to Stanislaus County Sheriff's Department.
Nazar allegedly set a RV trailer and outbuilding on fire before barricading himself in the residence.
Initial reports received by the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Department said that the structure was occupied when it was set on fire, said Singh, but occupants were able to safely flee from the structure.
An armored vehicle responded on scene to assist the deputies, as Nazar was allegedly armed in the home.
“The initial calls we did get from witnesses stated that after the subject lit the trailer on fire that he was armed with a gun,” said Singh. “We were also told he had a collection of different types of weapons, rifles, shotguns, and things like that.”
Deputies were able to reach Nazar on the phone and get him to safely surrender to authorities without further incident.
The suspect was detained by deputies and was transported to the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Office for questioning.
Nazar was arrested on charges including three counts of attempted murder, arson, aggravated arson, and possession of flammable material with the intent to burn, according to Stanislaus County Sheriff's Department. He has been booked into the Stanislaus County Jail.
No injuries have been reported at this time and the incident is currently under investigation.
Members of the Turlock Police Department, California Highway Patrol, and several area fire departments responded to assist Sheriff’s deputies.
The perimeter around Verduga Road was closed to traffic to ensure the safety of citizens.
A previous standoff occurred at the same residence just over two years ago on July 4, 2012. The suspect in that incident, who is Nazar's brother, was shot dead after a more than three-hour standoff.
Courtesy of Stanislaus County Sheriff's Department
