Fresno armed robbery suspect surrenders after setting his apartment on fire

A suspected armed robber was arrested after lighting his own apartment on fire in southeast Fresno on Sunday night, police said.

According to Lt. Tim Tietjen, 24-year-old Gerardo Varela was arrested for charges of armed robbery and arson.

Tietjen said Varela is suspected of robbing two men Saturday night in an alley near the area of Fisher Street and Thomas Avenue, just south of Highway 180 and east of Romain Park.

Investigators found Varela on Sunday night at his apartment near the alley. As officers approached the apartment, Varela locked himself inside and refused to come out.

As police began to negotiate with him to come out, Varela started a fire inside the bedroom of the apartment and surrendered as the flames began to spread.

All occupants of the apartment complex were evacuated as fire crews arrived to put out the flames. No injuries were reported.

Varela shared the apartment with his mother and sister along with her son, who have now been displaced due to the fire.