Bloomington resident Noel Montes Cazares was arrested in Riverside, California, on Thursday. An arson investigation from a Feb. 10 fire led to the 49-year-old's arrest.
Cazares, who told authorities multiple times his name was “Giovanni Bush,” was arrested on charges of arson, murder, neglect of a dependent and obstruction of justice.
Rescuers were called to a fire at a house on Handy Road around 11:30 a.m. on Feb. 10. A man, who identified himself as Bush, told investigators his mother was dead inside the house and that he couldn't get her out.
According to a press release from the Indiana State Police, family members told detectives they didn’t know Lerae Bush, the woman found dead, had any children.
Investigators could not confirm Giovanni Bush was the son of Lerae Bush, 85. They found documents at the scene of the fire indicating Giovanni Bush was actually named Noel Montes Cazares.
The ISP press release stated Bush suffered from dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. She reportedly depended on Cazares for food, transportation and clothing.
Cazares was arrested by the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department in California. The Indiana State Fire Marshal and Indiana State Police will continue to investigate this incident.
