Couple Accused Of Arson During May Protests Found In Mexico

ST. PAUL, MN — A Rochester couple wanted in connection to a series of suspicious fires in St. Paul last May was arrested in Mexico on Monday.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives announced on Thursday that the U.S. Marshals Service was able to locate and detain Jose Angel Felan Jr. and Mena Dhaya Yousif on immigration violations. The couple had been on the run from law enforcement after they were suspected of setting several fires last May during the George Floyd protests in the Twin Cities metro area, according to a statement from the ATF.

“After [Felan] and [Yousif] fled to Mexico, spending eight months on the run, the U.S. Marshals, along with out counterparts in Mexico, have seen to it that Mr. Felan will now face justice for the heinous arson charges against him," U.S. Marshal Susan Pamerleau said in a statement. "Our deputies were relentless in this fugitive case, refusing to rest until these suspects were found."

U.S. Attorney Erica MacDonald said the two will be sent back to Minnesota to stand trial.

Authorities said Felan, 34, was indicted with three counts of vandalism after allegedly setting fire to Gordon Parks High School, a Goodwill store and a 7 Mile Sportswear store on May 28. Yousif, 22, faces one count of being an accessory after the fact.

A video of Felan at one of the fires went viral and led police to identify him as a suspect. That's when Yousif reportedly helped him evade capture by law enforcement, according to the ATF.

A $20,000 reward was issued for information on the couple as the two left the United States for Mexico.

Felan has criminal record with multiple felony convictions for burglary, drug offenses and aggravated assault, authorities said.