Authorities have charged three Hollister residents on suspicion
of setting a Hillcrest Road apartment building on fire Thursday,
and police allege that one of them was retaliating against a
companion after an argument.
Authorities have charged three Hollister residents on suspicion of setting a Hillcrest Road apartment building on fire Thursday, and police allege that one of them was retaliating against a companion after an argument.
Hollister police arrested Richard Macias, 25, his brother Manuel Macias, 31, and Veronica Partida, 30, all of Hollister. They have been charged with multiple counts of arson and related crimes, and all three suspects today pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Police say the three drove to the apartment at 850 Hillcrest Road and that Richard Macias broke into the home and set it on fire – using a glass bottle filled with gasoline – while the two others waited in the car. Police also say they later found another bottle on Manuel Macias that smelled of gas.
Police allege that his brother committed the arson because he had been in a relationship with a tenant at the apartment complex and, after an argument, decided to set her apartment on fire.
Firefighters at the scene said several witnesses reported seeing a person fleeing the apartment building just before the fire began. The blaze caused $250,000 in damage and forced 12 residents to be relocated, with help from the Monterey-San Benito Counties Chapter of the American Red Cross, although there were no injuries.
Hollister Interim Fire Chief Fred Cheshire said that within six hours after the fire started, investigators determined it had been caused deliberately.
“There were things about the fire’s behavior that suggested an accelerant was used,” he said. “Saving your life is always most important in a fire, but afterward, if you can make out any unusual people or behavior, let firefighters know, and it will help our investigation.”
At court today, the Macias brothers smiled occasionally and joked with other inmates while waiting to be arraigned. Attorney Arthur Cantu is representing Manuel Macias and said his client was, in fact, trying to convince his brother not to “do anything stupid,” and that he’s not guilty.
“It’s akin to taking your brother to see his girlfriend, and he commits domestic violence,” Cantu said.
The victim in the arson case, the tenant, also was charged with lying to police officers about her name.
Richard Macias’ attorney, Greg LaForge, called attention to the victim, saying it’s “obviously suspicious when the victim is charged with lying to a police officer.”
