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Tuesday, February 9, 2010 |
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Suspected arsonist skips arraignment
Published November 19, 2009
SEGUIN — A 60-year-old homeless man authorities believe was responsible for at least one in a string of west side arson fires last spring was a no-show Wednesday for his scheduled arraignment in 2nd 25th Judicial District Court.
Dimas Rodriguez failed to answer when District Judge W.C. Kirkendall called his name for arraignment on first-degree felony charges of setting fire to a habitation and burglary of a habitation intending to commit another felony.
A bailiff called Rodriguez’s name outside the district courtroom door, and when he still didn’t answer, a warrant was issued for his arrest.
If proved at trial, either of the allegations against Rodriguez is punishable by five to 99 years in state prison and a fine of up to $10,000.
Rodriguez was arrested by Seguin Police Sgt. James Springer on April 7 after a warrant was obtained alleging Rodriguez had set a fire on April 2 that heavily damaged a home in the 900 block of San Antonio Avenue.
In the interim, other homes on West Kingsbury, North Guadalupe and Gonzales streets also burned under suspicious circumstances.
Precinct 1 Justice of the Peace Darrell Hunter set bail on Rodriguez at $150,000. That bail was reduced Oct. 2 because of legal concerns about how long Rodriguez had been in custody prior to his indictment and state rules that require release if un-indicted after 90 days and that bail be set in an amount to ensure someone shows up in court — and not that he be kept in jail with no chance of release pending trial.
Rodriguez was indicted by the Oct. 6 grand jury.
District Attorney Heather Hollub said Wednesday her office would seek an indictment on Rodriguez for failure to appear — and that he be held without bond to ensure his appearance for future court hearings.
Authorities who are investigating another string of suspicious fires that occurred this past month don’t say whether Rodriguez is considered a suspect.
Seguin Fire Marshal Greg Dreiss said his office was still investigating a group of four fires that culminated on Halloween night with the fire that heavily damaged the former home of educator and author Elizabeth Erskine “Budgie” Hollamon, which was a historic site.
Dreiss didn’t offer comment on the investigation except to say his office was still running down leads, and was looking as well for Rodriguez.
On the evening prior to the fire at the Hollamon place, another suspicious fire heavily damaged a home in the 500 block of West Kingsbury Street
Dreiss and other local law enforcement officials say the recent fires in empty or abandoned homes are believed to have been intentionally set, but officials haven’t said whether they believe they were set by the same person.
Seguin police and firefighters are working to determine who set the recent series of fires on Austin, Kingsbury and Guadalupe streets. Anyone with information can call the Texas State Fire Marshal’s arson hotline at 1-877-434-7345. If the information results in an arrest or grand jury indictment, it can earn a reward of up to $1,000.
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