(GRAFTON) — A Grafton man has been charged in connection with a house fire Friday morning.
Grafton Police were called to a house fire in the 1400 block of Lawler Avenue just after 8 a.m. Friday. Upon arrival, it was discovered that Ernesto Aguilar had intentionally set fire inside of the residence. It was also discovered that the residence was occupied by a person protected by a Domestic Violence Protection Order. Aguilar was prohibited from entering or coming within 100 yards of the address.
Aguilar fled the home and then re-entered when he saw police. He exited a short time later, holding a knife. Police commanded he drop the knife, and those commands were ignored. Aguilar then fled in a pickup, drove around the house, through the yard and emerged back at the front of the residence, before driving away.
Aguilar was located in the 1300 block of Hill Avenue, where a standoff ensued as Aguilar entered the pickup. Law enforcement forced entry and used gas, after which Aguilar then exited the vehicle and was taken into custody.
He has been charged with violation of a domestic violence protection order, endangerment by fire or explosive and terrorizing.
