STATESVILLE, N.C. ( QUEEN CITY NEWS ) – Three men accused of deliberately setting fire to a Statesville home, seriously injuring one woman, have been captured in Texas.
The fire happened just after 4 a.m. on Oct. 14, 2024, along Bond Street in Statesville.
As emergency crews responded to the scene, they found Miladis T. Bonilla-Alarcon suffering from severe burns. She was rushed to Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center for treatment.
Preliminary evidence and witness statements indicated that the fire was intentionally set.
Queen City News is tracking CRIME in your area 🚨 >> Latest stories here
Authorities say Alarcon’s boyfriend, identified as Elvin Ivan Ardon Santos, reportedly awoke to the smell of gas and discovered the home engulfed in flames.
Although he escaped to seek help, police say “he quickly realized that Alarcon was still trapped inside.” Police say he broke a window to rescue her after fire blocked the main entrance.
Following a weeks-long investigation, Oscar Humberto Bernal-Ardon, 33, Rudy Ardon Santos, 33, and Oscar Armando Larin, 45, all of Statesville, were identified as the primary suspects.