Suspect In Custody For Alleged Arson Attack On Ventura County Gov. Center

VENTURA (CBSLA.com) — Deputies arrested a suspect Saturday in connection with a massive arson attack in the government center parking lot.

According to the Ventura County Sheriff's Office, deputies were sent around 4  a.m. to the Ventura County Government Center, located at Victoria Avenue and Telephone Road.

A preliminary investigation revealed that a suspect had set four cars on fire in the parking lot, and was subsequently taken into custody.

The suspect has been identified as 36-year-old Jeffrey Landis of Santa Monica.

KCAL9's Joy Benedict explained employees working at the government center saw the flames.

The sheriff's department responded, and saw a man believed to be the suspect connected with setting the vehicles on fire. Landis suffered a few minor injuries while he was being detained.

Authorities said Landis resisted arrest. Less than lethal force and a K-9 officer were used to being Landis down, officials said.

There was also an bomb scare when officials located a backpack at the scene. Deputies alerted the bomb unit, who took away explosive materials, and contained the scene.

Officials said the vehicle fires were extinguished within two hours.

"It appears at this time there was at least one or two of these were county vehicles," said Capt. Don Aguilar. "They were unmarked vehicles."

The government center houses the main county court house, and a jail facility, but it is not open 24 hours a day.

Authorities confirmed Landis was not affiliated as a county employee, and was not an inmate that had been recently released.

The fire was so hot, it melted windows and hubcaps, reported Benedict.

In all, officials later said four cars were burned -- three owned by Ventura County and one owned by Landis. Another vehicle had moderate damage.

Authorities had no motive for the attack. The investigation is on going.

No injuries were reported.