A suspect has been arrested in connection with an attempted arson at a Victorville gym last week, authorities announced Thursday, Feb. 12.
Elijah Imarion Alvarez, 20, of Victorville pleaded not guilty to a count of attempted arson Wednesday, Feb. 11, in the Victorville branch of San Bernardino County Superior Court, records show.
The charge stems from an alleged attempt to set fire to THE GYM, 14689 Valley Center Drive, on the evening of Tuesday, Feb. 3.
Surveillance camera footage shows a man crawling up behind the rear of the building and attempting to ignite a fire.
Co-owner Mark Lyons said the man ran away when confronted by an employee.
A makeshift paper wick was then found stuck into the vent.
Investigators also found several airs duster cans, which is often highly flammable, in the area where the suspect had been spotted, according to San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department spokeswoman Socorro Cuevas. “It was not clear if the chemical was used as an accelerant in the arson attempt.”
Deputies soon identified Alvarez as a suspect.
“On Friday February 6, 2026, Alvarez was contacted by detectives, during an unrelated incident, in which he was attempting to steal merchandise from a local store,” sheriff’s officials said in a written statement.
Incident not believed linked to prior arsons at same business
THE GYM, along with another local business owned by the same proprietor, experienced a series of arson attacks, as well as a bomb threat, in October of 2024.
Shaun Sturgill, 46, was sentenced to 18 years and 8 months in state prison on Friday, Feb. 6.
A Victorville jury convicted him in May of 18 felony charges, including five counts of arson, five counts of arson during a state of emergency, six counts of possession of an arson device, one count of making a false bomb threat and one count of making criminal threats.
The recent arson attempt was not believed to be related to the prior incidents, according to the sheriff’s department.
“Detectives determined that Alvarez acted alone in the attempted arson and the incident is not connected to the prior arson investigations involving “THE GYM,” the statement said.
No information regarding a possible motive was available.
Bail for Alvarez was set at $100,000 pending legal proceedings.
A preliminary hearing in the case was set for Feb. 25.
Anyone with information was urged to contact the Victorville Police Station at (760) 241-2911, or Sheriff’s Dispatch at (760) 956-5001. Information may also be provided anonymously to the We-Tip hotline at (800) 782-7463.
This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: Suspect arrested in connection with arson attempt at Victorville gym
Reporting by Brian Day, Victorville Daily Press / Victorville Daily Press
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