Suspect appears in court after fire, assault at apartment

JONESBORO, Ark. (KAIT) - A man faces multiple charges after Jonesboro police say he swung at a woman and set several of her belongings on fire.

Salvador Cerillos, 31, of Jonesboro was arrested around 9:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 26 after officers went to the 3300 block of South Caraway Road due to a domestic disturbance and a fire.

An officer spoke to the victim, who said Cerillos became upset and started making threats to burn down an apartment building.

“The victim said Cerillos was so upset he pushed her aggressively and swung at her, but missed and put a hole in the wall,” Jonesboro police said in a probable cause affidavit.

Sally Smith, the Jonesboro Police Department’s public information specialist, said an officer spotted the “out of control” fire near Building G and called dispatch.

When officers got to the scene, they found the grass at the apartment complex on fire and found the woman’s purse on fire. A $500 fire, $100 bottle of perfume and $25 in cash were inside the purse when it was set on fire, police said.

Police arrested Cerillos on suspicion of arson, assault on a family/household member, terroristic threatening, and criminal mischief.

A $7,500 bond was set Friday for Cerillos, who will be arraigned March 31 in circuit court.

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