2 arrested for arson after fireworks explosion damages Mesa home

MESA, AZ (AZFamily) — Two suspects are in custody for allegedly using fireworks to cause an explosion at a Mesa home last week.

Police said Daniel J. Traynor, 18, and Eliyzar R. Frias, 19, were arrested in connection with the crime.

On June 13, around 9:30 p.m., Mesa police responded to a home near Country Club Drive and Guadalupe Road for an initial call of “shots fired.”

According to court documents, Frias parked his vehicle on the street and waited for neighbors to move away. Traynor allegedly got out of the car while Frias drove slowly behind him.

Court documents say Traynor then entered the front yard and lit a large firework before throwing it into the driveway of Nick Scherr's home.

Scherr told Arizona's family he was watching TV when his Ring doorbell captured someone at his front door. As he walked towards the door, the explosion occurred and shards of glass from a window hit him.

Traynor and Frias then ran from the scene.

Scherr was only slightly injured, police said. However, he estimates the damage at several tens of thousands of dollars between broken windows and a damaged roof.

Thanks to police databases, Frias and Traynor were identified, as well as their vehicle. During an interview with authorities, Traynor allegedly admitted to lighting the firework and throwing it at the house, saying another friend told him to do so.

Frias allegedly told police he drove Traynor home so Traynor could light the fireworks. He said he knew what was going to happen, but was unaware of the extent of the damage it would cause.

Authorities searched their vehicle and found nine large fireworks. Both men were charged with arson of an occupied structure, aggravated assault and criminal damage.

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