2 on the run following St. Paul arsons arrested in Mexico

Two people from Rochester were arrested in Mexico, accused of arson at three buildings in St. Paul on May 28, 2020. 

After eight months on the run, Jose Felan, 34, and Mena Dyaha Yousif, 22, have been arrested, the U.S. Attorney's Office said Thursday. 

In June, the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives issued a reward for their capture in connection to arsons during the civil unrest following the death of George Floyd. 

And in July, a Texas man was charged, accused of helping them evade capture. 

Felan and Yousif were detailed on Feb. 15 in Mexico for immigration violations after the U.S. Marshals Service located them, the U.S. Attorney's Office says. 

“Thanks to the skilled investigative work of the ATF and the tireless apprehension efforts of the U.S. Marshals Service these two defendants, who have been on the run for more than eight months, will be returned to Minnesota to face justice,” U.S. Attorney Erica H. MacDonald said in a statement.

Felan is charged via superseding indictment with three counts of arson. Yousif is charged with being an accessory after the fact. 

According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, on May 28, Felan "maliciously damaged and destroyed by means of fire" three buildings on University Avenue in St. Paul, including the Goodwill store, Gordon Parks High School and the 7 Mile Sportswear store. 

Then, Yousif helped him avoid arrest, prosecutors say. 

They made their initial court appearances on Feb. 17 in California.