Modesto man arrested for allegedly stabbing girlfriend, setting home on fire
A Modesto man was arrested Sunday afternoon for allegedly stabbing his girlfriend then setting the home they shared on fire.
At around noon, Modesto Police were called to a report of a woman stabbed in the 1300 block of Trenary Way, near Hillside Drive and Santa Cruz Avenue in the airport neighborhood.
“The victim was able to leave the home and call for help and the suspect stayed at the home and set it on fire,” said Modesto Police Department spokeswoman Sharon Bear.
When officers arrived, smoke was coming from the home and the suspect was in the front yard, Bear said.
Officers took him into custody and cleared firefighters and medical personnel to enter the scene to care for the victim and put out the fire.
The victim was found nearby suffering from multiple stab wounds that were not life threatening, Bear said. She was taken to a local hospital for treatment.
The suspect, 40-year-old Ricardo Archuleta, was taken to a hospital to be treated for smoke inhalation before being booked into jail on charges of attempted murder, domestic violence and arson.
Archuleta allegedly set household items, wall and flooring on fire in the kitchen and dining room area, said Dustin Bruley, supervisor of the Stanislaus Regional Fire Investigation Unit. Samples were sent to the Department of Justice to determine if accelerant was used, he said.
This story was originally published April 14, 2020 at 11:21 AM.
