SF paramedic arrested for allegedly setting off explosive

Photo: James Novello Was Arrested On Suspicion Of Setting Off An Explosive Device, Officials Said Friday. Photo: James Novello Was Arrested On Suspicion Of Setting Off An Explosive Device, Officials Said Friday. Image 1 of / 3 Caption Close SF paramedic arrested for allegedly setting off explosive 1 / 3 Back to Gallery

A paramedic with the San Francisco Fire Department was arrested for allegedly setting off an explosive device, officials said Friday.

James Novello, was arrested this week in connection with the detonation of an explosive in an Excelsior neighborhood resident’s planter, authorities said.

“We’re aware of the incident and working collaboratively with the police department,” said Jonathan Baxter, a spokesman for the fire department.

Novello was not on duty when the explosion happened, Baxter said. The employee has been placed on a “non-working status,” he said.

A police spokeswoman couldn’t immediately provide details.

Neighbors who asked to remain anonymous out of fear said Novello often had disputes about parking spaces outside of his home.

Residents said the parking disputes started with anonymous notes on car windshields and soon escalated to broken car windows. One man said his tires were slashed after parking outside of Novello’s home the day before the explosion.

The tightly knit community on the 100 block of Madrid Street hosts neighborhood block parties every year. Neighbors said Novello was more of an outsider in the area, despite living there for several years.

Chronicle staff writer Jenna Lyons contributed to this report.

Kimberly Veklerov is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: kveklerov@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @kveklerov