Woodbridge Man Faces Arson Charge In Arlington Apartment Fire

ARLINGTON, VA — A Woodbridge man is one of three facing arson charges in an Arlington County apartment fire investigation.

The fire happened around 4:50 a.m. on May 15 at garden-style apartments at 1020 S. Quebec Street in Arlington.

Arlington County fire and rescue units responded around 4:50 a.m. for the report of a fire at an apartment building located at 1020 South Quebec St., according to the incident report. Fire crews rescued multiple occupants, some of whom were taken to the hospital with smoke inhalation injuries.

“Evidence recovered at the scene indicated the fire to be suspicious in nature,” according to the report. “A comprehensive criminal investigation was initiated by the officers and deputies of the Arlington County Office of the Fire Marshal, assisted by the Arlington County Police and other allied agencies, and revealed strong evidence of arson. As a result of the months-long investigation, three suspects were identified and subsequently arrested.”

On Aug. 27, investigators arrested 18-year-old Marvin Adelso Hernandez Lopez of Arlington, charging him with arson, conspiracy to commit arson, possession of fictitious identification, firearm: possession by foreign alien and reckless handling of a firearm: no serious bodily injury, according to police.

Investigators arrested 20-year-old Wilmer Agustin De Leon of Arlington on Sept. 9, according to police. He was charged with arson and conspiracy to commit arson, according to police.

On the same day, investigators also arrested 22-year-old Erasbiel Flores of Woodbridge, charging him with arson and conspiracy to commit arson, according to police. The three suspects are being held without bond in the Arlington County Detention Facility.

Hernandez Lopez was arraigned on Aug. 28 in Arlington General District Court and had a bond hearing on the next day, according to court records. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. on Oct. 15.

With the exception of the reckless handling of a firearm and fake identification charges, which are misdemeanors, Hernandez Lopez is facing felony charges, according to court records. The possession of a firearm by an unlawful alien is a Class 5 felony, which carries a mandatory sentence of one to 10 years in prison, or confinement in jail for up to 12 months, along with a fine of up to $2,500, under the Code of Virginia.

De Leon was arraigned on Wednesday in Arlington General District Court and a preliminary hearing is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. on Oct. 15, according to court records. Both of the charges he’s facing are felonies.

Flores was arraigned on Tuesday in Arlington General District Court and his preliminary hearing is the same as the other two suspects, 11:30 a.m. on Oct. 15. All three charges against him are felonies.

Anyone with information about this case is asked to contact the Arlington County tip line at 703-228-4180 or ACPDTipline@arlingtonva.us or anonymously through the Arlington County Crime Solvers hotline at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477).

Patch editor Michael O'Connell contributed to this report.