A Hialeah Gardens man was slapped with attempted murder charges following a blazing attack on an apartment where his estranged wife was reportedly staying. Roisel Valdes-Cuello, 32, is accused of setting the fire intentionally in multiple areas of the residence, including the living room and bedrooms, according to an arrest report obtained by NBC Miami.
Police allege that Valdes-Cuello not only tried to burn the apartment down but also absconded with his estranged wife's dog. The incident was purportedly captured on surveillance footage that shows the suspect making off under the cover of fire with the pet under his arm, as stated in the police report acquired by Local 10. No injuries were reported, though the fire did spread to an adjacent unit, affecting seven people, including two children.
The destructive incident erupted just after 1 a.m. on Sunday at 9862 Northwest 82nd Avenue. The wife, who was not at home when the fire broke out, expressed her terror over the incident. "My husband tried to kill me," she told NBC Miami. "He burned the apartment. Everything is gone."
Following his arrest, Valdes-Cuello denied having any involvement in setting the fire and the subsequent disappearance of the dog. Despite his denial, he was charged with multiple felonies, including two counts each of attempted murder, arson, and criminal mischief, along with a count of burglary. A judge later granted him a total bond of $111,000 and placed him on house arrest, including a GPS monitor to ensure he stays away from his wife, as per court documents referenced by Local 10.
Police continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding this act of alleged domestic violence, which left a community rattled and a woman in fear for her life. The American Red Cross is assisting the impacted residents, including the two children displaced by the fire.
