New Smyrna Beach, FL-Deputies say a New Smyrna Beach man is charged with counts including arson, attempted murder and DUI after fighting with his girlfriend and trying to burn her home. Deputies say no one was hurt though three people were inside the home when the fire broke out early Sunday. 55-year-old Stephen Jacques is charged.
Deputies say Jacques had been arguing with the woman at her home on Field Street and deputies had gone there Saturday around 10:30 AM for a confrontation between the two. The woman decided she didn’t want law enforcement involved and closed the door on deputies. Deputies responded again at around 9:30 PM for a burglary, but Jacques claimed there was no burglary because the door was open. He reportedly had taken a fishing pole and a Christmas tree but told deputies he had paid for the tree and it was his. During a phone conversation with his girlfriend, deputies heard him threaten to burn her home.
Deputies went back to the woman’s home just before 3 AM for a report that the house was on fire. The three residents were awakened by smoke and fire. A window sill and kitchen cabinet were burning and a second fire had been set in the bathroom. Deputies pulled Jacque’s vehicle over down the street from the fire scene. He was found with a lighter, lighter fluid and paper towels. He is being held on no bond at the jail.
Jacques booking photo
2015 Southern Stone Communications Copyright