A Bastrop County man is wanted after authorities say he set fire to his ex-girlfriend's house three separate times over two days, burning the home to the ground and killing a pitbull named Nala along with her seven two-week-old puppies. Abraham Salomon Chacon is facing a first-degree felony arson charge and a third-degree felony animal cruelty charge.
According to the Bastrop County Sheriff's Office, the case began on October 14 when the victim, identified as Chacon's ex-girlfriend and the mother of two children under age 10, reported that he had sent her messages threatening to burn down her house. Later that night, an intruder was reported at the residence, and the victim was assaulted.
Fire Engulfs the Home as Neighbors Watch Chacon Come and Go
The first fire engulfed the victim's residence, and Bastrop County Emergency Services District No. 1 responded, the sheriff's office said. Witnesses reported seeing a man lurking at the property. The agency said the victim had received a call from Chacon telling her she was going to pay, and minutes later a neighbor called to tell her smoke was coming from her house.
The victim told investigators she received numerous calls from Chacon during which he described watching her house burn and vowed to set it on fire again.
More Fires Follow
Two more fires occurred at the home on October 18. The victim also reported additional threats from Chacon that day.
Bastrop County Emergency Services District No. 1 responded to two more fires at the residence on October 18. The sheriff's office said the house is now a complete loss.
Officers Heard Movement Inside but Couldn't Reach the Animals
During the first fire, responding officers reported hearing movement inside the residence but were unable to breach the doors in time to save the animals trapped inside. Nala, a pitbull, and all seven of her two-week-old puppies died in the blaze, the sheriff's office said.
Chacon is currently wanted for arson of a habitation, a first-degree felony, and cruelty to animals resulting in the cruel death of an animal, a third-degree felony.
Prior Record Could Push Up Potential Sentence
Because the sheriff's office says Chacon has an extensive arrest history that includes aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, robbery, and resisting arrest — along with convictions for assault causing bodily injury to a family member, driving while intoxicated, evading arrest with a vehicle, and impersonating a public servant — prosecutors could potentially seek sentencing enhancements. Texas Penal Code section 12.42 allows a third-degree felony to be bumped to a second-degree felony, raising the punishment range to 2 to 20 years, when a defendant has a prior final felony conviction, per the law group Varghese Summersett.
Sheriff's Office Seeks Tips
Chacon is described as 5 feet 10 inches tall and 200 pounds, with black hair or a bald head, brown eyes, and numerous tattoos on his head, body, and arms.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Bastrop County Sheriff's Office at 512-549-5100. Tips can also be submitted anonymously to Bluebonnet Area Crime Stoppers at 866-930-8477 or online at bluebonnet.crimestoppersweb.com. The nonprofit has covered Bastrop County since March 2008, according to Bluebonnet Area Crime Stoppers.
