Texas Woman Allegedly Torched Boyfriend’s House After Another Woman Answered His Phone
A Texas woman is accused of setting fire to her boyfriend’s home — and deputies say they have all the proof they need on a video she made.
Senaida Soto, 23, was arrested Monday on felony charges of second-degree burglary of habitation and first-degree arson of habitation, according to the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office. Authorities say Soto “became upset” and torched her boyfriend’s home in a fit of jealousy after she allegedly FaceTimed her boyfriend and another woman answered the phone.
Investigators later identified the woman as a relative of the boyfriend.
The sheriff’s office, the Lytle Fire Department and the county Fire Marshal’s Office responded to reports of an arson at the 16000 block of Shepherd Road near Lytle — about 20 miles southwest of San Antonio — at around 1:45 a.m. on Sunday.
The homeowner, who is related to Soto’s boyfriend, told responders that Soto “broke into his home and set his house on fire after she had just stolen several items from the home,” according to the sheriff’s office.
Senaida Soto Photo: Bexar County Sheriff's Office
A witness on the scene reported seeing Soto packing the alleged stolen goods into her gray Kia Optima, according to charging documents obtained by ABC San Antonio affiliate KSAT-TV. She reportedly left the scene before the fire spread.
“While the house was on fire, video was recorded, and it was shown that she lit the couch on fire that spread, causing the home to go up in flames,” said county officials.
Charging documents state Soto allegedly FaceTimed video of the burning furniture to the boyfriend, saying, “I hope your stuff is going to be OK,” before hanging up, according to KSAT-TV.
(The Bexar County Sheriff's Office provided news outlets with a slight variation of the message reading "I hope your house is OK.")
The fire caused more than $50,000 in damages, according to Bexar County officials. Deputies issued two warrants for Soto’s arrest with assistance from the Fire Marshal’s office, who determined the fire was a crime of arson.
Watch More True Crime On Oxygen In Our Free App
Soto was taken into custody at around 2:30 p.m. on Monday and booked into the Bexar County Jail. Records reviewed by Oxygen.com show she is being held on $65,000 bond for the burglary charges and $100,000 bond for the arson charges.
An attorney was not listed on behalf of the inmate.
Soto is scheduled to appear for a pre-trial hearing in December, according to the San Antonio Express-News.
