Farmington police looking for suspected arsonist

Farmington police are searching for 38-year-old Daryl Levi in connection to a string of fires.  Thirteen dumpster fires and one vehicle fire occurred between December 17, 2020, and January 11, 2021. Farmington Fire Department fire investigators and FPD detectives found them to be arson. Five of the dumpster fires took place on the evening of January 11, 2021, beginning around 9:19 p.m.

Investigators identified Levi as the suspect through business surveillance and body camera footage from officers who contacted him near the fires on January 11. A warrant was subsequently issued for Daryl Levi for five counts of arson.

The nine other fires remain under investigation. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Farmington Police Department Tip Line at 505-599-1068.

PRESS RELEASE: Farmington man arrested for arson

RAY MONTANO MUGFarmington, NM – Farmington police arrested Ray Montano, 49 of Farmington, on Monday in connection with a string of fires that investigators determined to be intentionally set. Six structure fires took place between June 22 and July 7 in various abandoned buildings in Farmington. The San Juan County Fire Investigation Task Force, comprised of representatives from FPD, Farmington Fire Department, San Juan County Fire Department and the San Juan County Sheriff’s Office, investigated the incidents and found them to be arson.

Farmington detectives identified Montano as the suspect through video surveillance and body camera footage from officers who saw the suspect riding a bicycle away from the scene of two of the fires. Officers located Montano on July 8 and detained him for questioning. He was subsequently arrested on a warrant for three counts of arson at 709 Orchard Homes Dr., 301 Airport Dr. and 621 W. Animas St. No one was injured in the fires.

The three other fires remain under investigation. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Farmington Police Department Detective Tip Hotline at 505-599-1068. Anonymous tips may be submitted to San Juan County Crime Stoppers at 505-334-TIPS.

PRESS RELEASE: Request for public’s assistance

Farmington, NM – Farmington police and fire department investigators are seeking information to help identify a person(s) of interest in a series of suspicious fires. The fires in question have taken place over a three month period, predominantly in a concentrated area south of Murray Drive. These fires have consisted of abandoned structures, motor vehicles, piles of debris, and woodland/open areas.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Kenneth Smith with the Farmington Police Department (505) 486-2688, Fire Marshal Brandy Vega with the Farmington Fire Department (505) 599-1439, or the Farmington Police Department’s Detective Tip Hotline (505) 599-1068.