A preliminary hearing has been set for May 17 for a Chula Vista man accused of torching his girlfriend’s home after he got drunk at a party and physically assaulted her.
Jose Perez Rodriguez, 35, who is also known as Jose German Rodriguez, is also charged with using his girlfriend’s bank card to withdraw $400 from her account. He is also charged with burglary, battery, and resisting arrest.
The fire at a residence at 1003 Monserate Avenue in Chula Vista destroyed the home on Feb. 20. A witness told police she saw Rodriguez pouring gasoline all over the master bedroom, living room, kitchen, and garage, according to an arrest warrant declaration.
Rodriguez and his girlfriend, Elizabeth Ruiz, were at a party in Newton Avenue in San Diego that night, and he got into an argument with her at the party. He allegedly pulled her hair, slapped her, and party guests separated them, court records say.
Rodriguez had his girlfriend’s car keys and fled in her vehicle. When Ruiz arrived home, she saw her house engulfed in flames. When she checked her bank records, she noticed $400 was withdrawn and she remembered her bank card was in her car, which was found parked across the street.
Rodriguez has pleaded not guilty to all charges in Chula Vista Superior Court and the hearing date was set on March 22. He remains in the South Bay Detention Facility on $500,000 bail.
Court records say Rodriguez was convicted of drunk driving as a misdemeanor in 2014. He was sentenced to 100 days in jail and placed on terms of five years probation.
