ARSON/AGGRAVATED ASSAULT ARREST: Last night Lufkin Police arrested a man who attempted to set another man on fire after burning items in the man’s yard.

Greg Anthony Rodriguez Sr., 44, of Lufkin, was taken into custody on charges of arson and aggravated assault after he wrecked out on Lufkin Avenue less than a mile from the Angelina County Jail.

At 8:45 p.m., officers were called to Ridge Street where a man told them he walked outside to check on his barking dogs and found an unknown Hispanic male setting fire to an old cabinet, sink, and doghouse.

The man told officers that he confronted the suspect – later identified as Rodriguez – and Rodriguez told him they burned him, so he was going to burn them. The man said Rodriguez then poured gasoline on the man’s arm and struck a lighter at him as if trying to set him on fire. He said Rodriguez then fled in a white van.

A short time later, dispatch notified officers that a van matching the suspect vehicle had just wrecked out on Lufkin Avenue near the Loop 287 intersection. Officers arrived and took Rodriguez into custody without further incident.

Rodriguez has been arrested in Angelina County 16 times on charges including assault/family violence, possession of a prohibited weapon, criminal trespass, disorderly conduct, resisting arrest, burglary of a habitation and criminal mischief.

He remained in the Angelina County Jail on a collective $200,000 bond as of 5 p.m. Thursday.

Thanks,

Jessica Pebsworth

Communications Director