Two more suspects have been arrested in connection to a “suspicious” apartment fire near Columbia Pike earlier this year.
Erasbiel Flores, 22, was booked into jail on Sept. 8, according to court records. An alleged co-conspirator, 20-year-old Wilmer Adan Agustin De Leon, was taken into custody the following day.
Both Flores and Agustin De Leon face charges of arson and conspiracy to commit arson, Arlington’s Office of the Fire Marshal announced on Friday. They join 18-year-old Marvin Adelso Hernandez Lopez, who was arrested late last month in connection to the May 15 blaze.
According to court documents, the three men filled a 7-Eleven cup with gasoline before traveling to the Douglas Park apartment building and igniting the fire around 5 a.m. in order to get even with an acquaintance.
“[Hernandez Lopez] admitted that he and other co-conspirators talked about setting a fire at the residence of someone who owed him money,” according to a criminal complaint.
A preliminary investigation found a 7-Eleven cup “at the seat of the fire,” and a trained K-9 detected an accelerant at the scene, police said.
At least five people were evaluated by medical personnel, according to police. Two were taken to a local hospital with what were described as non-life-threatening injuries.
Each of the three men will appear in Arlington’s General District Court on Oct. 15 for preliminary hearings, according to online court records.
The complete press release from Office of the Fire Marshal is below.
The Arlington County Fire Department’s Office of the Fire Marshal is announcing the arrest of three men following an investigation into an arson that occurred at 1020 S. Quebec Street on May 15, 2025.
On May 15, 2025, at approximately 4:50 a.m., the Arlington County Fire Department responded to the report of a structure fire at the garden apartments located at 1020 S. Quebec Street. This fire resulted in 32 occupants being affected. Multiple rescues were made by fire crews, and several people were transported for smoke inhalation injuries.
Evidence recovered at the scene indicated the fire to be suspicious in nature. A comprehensive criminal investigation was initiated by the officers and deputies of the Arlington County Office of the Fire Marshal, assisted by the Arlington County Police and other allied agencies, and revealed strong evidence of arson. As a result of the months-long investigation, three suspects were identified and subsequently arrested.
Marvin Adelso Hernandez Lopez, 18, of Arlington, VA was arrested on August 27 and charged with Arson, Conspiracy to Commit Arson, Possession of Fictitious Identification, Firearm: Possess by Foreign Alien and Reckless Handling of a Firearm: No Serious Bodily Injury. Wilmer Agustin De Leon, 20, of Arlington, VA was arrested on September 9 and charged with Arson and Conspiracy to Commit Arson. Erasbiel Flores, 22, of Woodbridge, VA was arrested on September 9 and charged with Arson and Conspiracy to Commit Arson. The three suspects are being held without bond in the Arlington County Detention Facility.
This remains an active criminal investigation. Anyone with information that may assist the investigation is asked to contact the Arlington County tip line at 703-228-4180 or [email protected] or anonymously through the Arlington County Crime Solvers hotline at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477).
