Jose Samuel Reanda Sapalu

On November 23, 2025, Saint Paul Officers responded to the 300 block of Jenks Avenue, Saint Paul, County of Ramsey, on someone starting a fire in the backyard. Upon arrival, Officer Vang used a fire extinguisher to extinguish the fire in the backyard of the home. Officers met ZP-resident of the home-who said the suspect-JOSE SAMUEL REANDA SAPALU, [DOB REDACTED]-was inside. Officers found SAPALU lying on a bed in a bedroom, and arrested him. ZP met SAPALU approximately one month and a half ago, and allowed him to stay in her house since that time.

ZP said she pulled into the driveway in her vehicle and saw SAPALU starting fires in the backyard. She exited her vehicle and told him to put the fire out. SAPALU grabbed a piece of the fire, and said something like, “I’ll show you a fire.” SAPALU threw the fire toward the house which started a mattress on fire and made the fire bigger. ZP grabbed a bucket of water and attempted to extinguish the fire. ZP gave officers video the fire SAPALU started. There was a bed mattress in the backyard with fire damage.

There were other items in the backyard that were also burned-tools, clothing.