Man pleads not guilty to alleged firebombing of Indio auto shop

An alleged arsonist accused of targeting an Indio body shop on multiple occasions pleaded not guilty today to felony charges.

Edward Ochoa, 37, is charged with one count of arson and three counts of possessing explosive or destructive devices stemming from three alleged incidents of arson fires or hazardous devices found at the Walker Performance Center, 42921 Madio St., over the course of 2 1/2 months.

County firefighters were sent to the shop about 3:35 a.m. on May 30, 2016, after a fire alarm went off. An exploded Molotov cocktail had ignited a fire within the building, where two windows were shattered, and a second bottle filled with gasoline was found with only the wick burned, according to an arrest warrant declaration.

Investigators also found blood on the sidewalk, as well as on window blinds and a cigarette lighter. The blood was tested, and the results were consistent with Ochoa’s DNA, the document says. The firebombing was preceded by a “hazardous device incident and another arson fire with the use of ignitable liquids” at the property, according to the declaration.

Ochoa was taken into custody Monday afternoon on Arabia Street in Indio and was being held at the Riverside County jail in Indio in lieu of $150,000 bail.

He will return to court June 23 for a felony settlement conference.