| For Immediate Release Case # 10NF0784
March 16, 2010 |
Susan Kang Schroeder Public Affairs Counsel Office: 714-347-8408 Cell: 714-292-2718 Farrah Emami |
MAN CHARGED WITH ARSON FOR SETTING BOAT
ON FIRE AFTER BECOMING ANGRY OVER
BEING FIRED BY BOSS
SANTA ANA – A 37-year-old man was charged today with arson for setting a boat on fire after being fired by his boss. Jose Asencion Castro, Anaheim, is charged with one felony count of arson of another’s property with a sentencing enhancement for arson with an accelerant. The defendant faces a maximum sentence of eight years in state prison if convicted. Castro is being held on $30,000 bail and is scheduled for a pre-trial hearing March 23, 2010, at 8:30 a.m. at the North Justice Center, Fullerton. The Department is to be determined.
Castro worked in victim’s electronic store for 14 years. In January 2010, Castro is accused of slashing his boss’ tires after the victim refused to hire someone the defendant recommended for a job. As a result, the victim fired Castro.
At approximately 10:00 a.m. on March 12, 2010, Castro is accused of driving to and parking outside of his former employer’s house because he was angry that the victim fired him. The defendant is accused of approaching a boat, which was parked in the driveway, and slashing the two tires on the right side of the boat trailer. Castro is accused of pouring gasoline on the slashed tires and setting them on fire, causing the boat’s cover to also ignite. The defendant is then accused of fleeing the scene in his car.
Two construction workers noticed the fire and used the victim’s hose to put it out. A neighbor called the fire department.
Deputy District Attorney Israel Claustro of the Special Prosecutions Unit is prosecuting this case.
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