FAYETTEVILLE, AR — A local man has been arrested on a string of charges after police say he admitted to trying to set a house on fire with six people inside.
Nicholas Rodriguez, 32, was arrested today after an early morning incident on W. Elm Street.
When police answered a call about a disturbance at a home, Rodriguez had left, but the victim told police she and Rodriguez had been in an argument while walking to a convenience store. She told police Rodriguez placed his arm around her neck. She also told police Rodriguez had made previous threats to kill her if she tried to leave.
At 4:51 a.m. Fayetteville Police and fire crews responded to the same home for a report of a fire. When officials arrived, the six people in the house had been safely evacuated.
Officers found Rodriguez near the intersection of Greg and Township and arrested him.
Police say their investigation found that fires had been intentionally set at all three doorways of the house.
Rodriguez faces charges of Arson, Attempted Capital Murder, Aggravated Assault on a Family or Household Member, Terroristic Threatening and Parole Violation.