The Austin Police Department responded to a 9-1-1 call of a man damaging walls and attempting to light an apartment on fire in the 1700 block of Burton Drive on Friday, July 26, 2024, at 3:56 p.m. Upon arrival, officers noted a burnt smell in the residence and the presence of singed paper. Officers spoke with a witness who confirmed the initial report of a man intentionally lighting a fire inside the residence. APD officers detained the suspect and notified the Austin Fire Department Arson Division.
AFD investigators responded and identified a growing burning smell in the apartment at which time they began removing sections of damaged drywall to ensure there was no remaining smoldering. During that search, investigators discovered charred toilet paper inside the wall. The physical evidence and statements provided to arson investigators led to the arrest of Carlos Humberto Herrera-Anariba for arson of habitation.
Herrera-Anariba was booked into the Travis County Jail. His bond has been set at $15,000.
There were no injuries reported as a result of this incident, but the building sustained an estimated $500 in damages.
