Arson investigation leads to arrest of Stars gas station owner

Shortly after 7 this morning, investigators from the sheriff’s Homicide Detail and the California Department of Justice arrested James Kurtenbach at Stars Gas Station in Ramona. He was booked into county jail, charged with murder and fraud in connection with the house explosion at 16421 N. Woodson Drive that killed Joseph Nesheiwat, 24, of Ramona in the early morning hours of Oct. 31, Lt. Dennis Brugos with the sheriff’s Homicide Detail reported.

Kurtenbach, who owns Stars Gas Station, is the owner of the house that exploded and was destroyed in the fire that officials determined was arson. Nesheiwat, who worked for Kurtenbach at Stars, was killed during the commission of the crime, said Brugos.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call the sheriff’s Homicide Detail at 858-974-2321 during business hours, at 858-565-5200 after hours or Crime Stoppers at 888-580-TIPS (8477).