From Dan Tepfer, CT Post:
State Rep. Christina Ayala just has no luck with cars–or boyfriends.
Just one month after the Democratic legislator got back her license after pleading no contest to a hit-and-run crash, police said her former boyfriend, who she had previously been charged with assaulting, torched her car.
Pedro Rodriguez, 37, was charged Tuesday morning with two counts of reckless burning, two counts of first-degree criminal mischief and two counts of first-degree reckless endangerment after police said he set fire to Ayala’s 2007 Nissan Sentra and a 1995 Toyota Camry belonging to Ayala’s sister following a dispute with Ayala.
Full story here.
News release from Bill Kaempffer, police spokesman:
A city man faces charges that he set fire to two vehicles belonging to his estranged girlfriend and her sister.
Pedro Rodriguez, 37, of Park Street, was arrested early today on two counts each of reckless burning, first-degree criminal mischief and first-degree reckless endangerment.
His bond was set at $10,000.
Officer Michael Davila was dispatched to Livingston Place at 12:45 a.m. on a report of a car fire. He spoke to the owner who stated that she believed the fire was set by Rodriguez, her sister’s estranged boyfriend. She stated that she and her sister were at their father’s place of business earlier in the night and that they had a dispute with Rodriguez. The dispute happened about 30 minutes before the fire department responded to the fire, the victim stated.
While police were on scene on Livingston Place, the victim received a call from her sister, who stated that her car also was on fire. Police and the Fire Department responded to Brooks Street as well.
Based on information learned from the investigation, police responded to Rodriguez’s house on Park Street and observed the suspect arriving at his home.
He was detained. Fire investigators requested a State Police K-9 to assist and Rodriguez volunteered to allow the accelerant-sniffing dog to examine the clothing he wore that night. The dog signaled on two occasions while smelling the suspect’s jeans.
As a result of the investigation and positive indicators by the K-9, police arrested Rodriguez.
*** Let’s see how many State Representative haters put the blame for this domestic debacle squarely on Ms. Ayala’s shoulders for her “immature” boyfriend’s actions! Thank God Ms. Ayala, her sister or any other family member or friends were not hurt from any such foolish behavior that in the end solves nothing and only ends up hurting the ones you love! *** THINK BEFORE ACTING! ***
Unfortunately this might not be the end for Christina Ayala, “domestic violence,” reckless burning, first-degree criminal mischief and first-degree reckless endangerment just don’t end with someone’s arrest. Ms. Ayala must go on with her life with someone who is trying to hurt her. Psychologically this is very serious for women to live and deal with and hopefully she can move on with her life.
I don’t understand why this person was only charged with reckless burning. This is a clear case of two separate arson fires. Reckless burning is a bullshit charge.
It certainly is two counts of arson, I can’t comprehend reckless burning either. Either way, this young lady needs to set the bar higher for herself when choosing companions.
Where there’s smoke, there’s fire!