By FRANCISCO E. JIMENEZ
Staff Writer
reporter@sbnewspaper.com
A San Benito man was arrested Wednesday afternoon for allegedly trying to set fire to another man’s house.
Forty-one year-old Guadalupe Villareal was accused of arson after an altercation with a friend of his. “(Villareal) and the owner of the house, Robert Guerra, were drinking and barbequing at his house on Austin Street at about 1:30 p.m. At about that time another man, Martin Severa, a friend of both men, showed up and they were drinking until about 2 p.m.,” said San Benito Fire Marshal Henry Lopez.
According to Lopez, at one point, Villareal and Guerra allegedly argued over bills, which soon escalated into a scuffle. Villareal allegedly assaulted Guerra before turning his attention to Severa, who Lopez said defended himself against Villarreal.
“Villareal left and apparently came back at around 2:30 p.m., and apparently grabbed a bunch of papers, wadded them up, put them under the house and lit it on fire,” Lopez said.
San Benito police and fire departments were called to the scene. Villareal was arrested at his home on the 200 block of Corona Crescent at approximately 2:45 p.m.
He was arraigned on Thursday, June 30 at 10:30 a.m. at the San Benito Police Department by Judge Ben Yudesis and issued an $8,000 bond for one count of Arson, a second degree felony.
“(The damage to the house) was minimal, probably about $200 worth,” said Lopez. “He was just mad and drunk and angry.”
Attempts to gain comment from Villarreal or his legal representation were unsuccessful as of press time.
To see this story in print, pick up a copy of the July 3 edition of the San Benito News. Or view our E-Edition by clicking here.
Recent Comments