The man suspected in a pre-dawn fire yesterday (Sunday) that destroyed the Cedar Ridge Country Store on highway 174 has been arraigned in Nevada County Superior Court. Nevada County Assistant District Attorney, Anna Ferguson, says 21-year-old Alfredo Torres was arraigned this afternoon, "Our office filed felony charges of arson of an inhabited structure, which is, potentially, an eight year crime; P.C. 245, which is assault with a weapon, for brandishing and threatening a firegighter who was attempting to put out the blaze."

Ferguson says Torres was also charged with attempted auto theft, vandalism to a police vehicle, and being under the influence of methamphetamines.

Market owner, Surjit Singh, says he and his wife were sleeping in an apartment above the Market when they were awakened around four in the morning to the sound of breaking glass. When they got up to investigate they realized the store and their apartment were on fire, and they were confronted by Torrres, who was rummaging through their vehicle. They ran from Torres and called for help. Ophir Fire Station Captain, Rob Rothenberger says by the time the call came in, the store was already engulfed in flames, "We're only two doors down, so when the engine pulled out of the station, they could see the fire from the station itself. The fire had already burned through the roof and was coming out the windows on the second story."

Nevada County Sheriff Keith Royal says fire fighters saw Torres when they got there, "When they arrived they observed Mr. Torres near the building, holding a wrench, and when they asked him to get away from the building because of the fire, he threatened them and approached them with the wrench. At that point, we were requested to respond code three."

Sheriff Royal says Grass Valley police officers were asked to assist, and they detained Torres until deputies arrived.

Sheriff Royals say Torres kicked out the rear window of a Sheriff's patrol car after his arrest. His bail is set at $51-thousand. The loss to the store is estimated at $1.2-million.