Woman arrested and charged for allegedly starting fires at two Sugarhouse businesses

SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) — A woman has been arrested and charged after officials say she tried to start fires at two businesses on the northwest side of Sugarhouse, causing damage to one of the businesses.

Abigail Joan Villanueva, 33, has been charged with attempted aggravated arson, a second-degree felony; arson with property damage between $1,500 and $5,000, a third-degree felony; interfering with a peace officer, a Class B misdemeanor; and disorderly conduct, an infraction.

According to documents, a Salt Lake City Police officer was dispatched to Dee’s restaurant near 2000 S 700 E in Salt Lake City. He was told that it was vandalism in progress. When he arrived, he found a female suspect and tried to apprehend her.

The female suspect, later identified as Villanueva, allegedly fought back against the officer, trying not to be arrested. The SLCPD officer was able to overpower and apprehend her.

Two days before, on June 15, a Salt Lake City Fire Department investigator had been called to the same location after a fire was lit at the location, though it did not cause a dangerous fire. The investigator discovered surveillance footage that allegedly showed Villanueva visiting Dee’s on that day.

The surveillance footage revealed that Villanueva had approached the restaurant while holding something in her hand. She lit the object on fire and placed it next to the gas meter outside the building. According to documents, Villanueva watched the fire until it self-extinguished, at which point she left.

Employees told law enforcement that there were people present in the building during this attempted arson. The SLC Fire Department investigator was able to determine that Villanueva had lit several “combustible paper products” before placing them next to the gas meter.

Law enforcement was able to determine that Villanueva was allegedly connected to another attempted arson on June 17 nearby. The RAD Power Bikes shop, located across the street from Dee’s, had a fire started at it. Villanueva allegedly did not attempt to stop the fire or alert authorities.

Surveillance revealed that Villanueva removed trash from the dumpster at RAD Power Bikes and lit it on fire. The fire burned for 45 minutes before the Salt Lake City Fire Department arrived to extinguish the fire. The bike shop suffered roughly $1,500 in damages, according to documents.

Villanueva is currently being held at the Salt Lake County Jail and has an initial appearance on June 26.