Texas Man Evicted From His Home Accused Of Torching Apartment Building

Multiple residents of an apartment building in Texas are without homes after a man allegedly set fire to an apartment building days after he was evicted, authorities said.

John Anthony Lopez, 39, was arrested on Oct. 15 on a first-degree felony charges of arson habitation following the blaze investigators said was intentionally set at the San Antonio complex that had at least seven units, KSAT reported.

According to an affidavit obtained by the station, on Oct. 14, Lopez was spotted on surveillance video allegedly returning to the property around a week after his eviction with a red plastic container.

Police said he is then seen walking to the back of the complex before returning to the front empty-handed and leaving.

Within minutes, police said, fire quickly spread from the rear of the building and into the attic.

Officers detained Lopez on an unrelated active municipal warrant after he returned to the damaged building, police said.

The affidavit states fire investigators determined the source of the fire originated in Lopez’s former apartment, where they allegedly found a red container in the bathroom.

One witness recalled overhearing Lopez allegedly threatening to burn the building down after the eviction notice was served, police wrote in the affidavit.

Lopez denied making any threats or setting the apartment building on fire.

According to KSAT, police confronted him about video allegedly showing him at the scene and he asked for an attorney.

Lopez was booked into the Bexar County jail and his bond was set at $1,000.