Elyria police arrested a 20-year-old Lorain man on Monday after he allegedly poured gasoline around the outside of a home during a domestic dispute with his pregnant partner. The incident occurred on December 8 around 4 p.m. on the 100 block of Spruce Street.
According to the police report, officers arrived after an open 911 call reporting a loud disturbance. A woman at the residence told officers she is six months pregnant and that she and Nazir Flecha had been arguing over a Snapchat post that resurfaced earlier in the day. The same issue had sparked an argument between them over the weekend.
During the confrontation, Flecha allegedly retrieved a gallon of gasoline and poured it around the exterior of the house with the intention of setting it on fire. Officers noted a strong smell of gasoline in the area when they arrived. Police also reported that a five-year-old child was inside the home at the time.
When questioned, Flecha admitted pouring the gasoline and acknowledged he was aware people were inside the residence. When asked about the potential risk of injury or death, Flecha reportedly gave conflicting answers. He later told officers he stopped once he realized “the possible outcome could be bad” and returned to a vehicle in the driveway.
The Elyria Fire Department responded to ventilate the home due to the gasoline fumes.
Flecha was taken into custody and transported to the Lorain County Jail on charges of domestic violence and aggravated menacing. According to the report, once at the jail he began hitting his head against the walls and had to be secured in a restraint chair by corrections staff. He remains held pending arraignment.