A Maryland man has been charged with attempted murder, arson and assault after authorities say he intentionally set fire to his girlfriend's home in Glen Burnie while threatening to make her eat her dead son's ashes, according to an arrest warrant obtained by WBZ.
Background
Carmello S. Latorre allegedly broke into a violent rage during an argument with his girlfriend at her residence in the 1200 block of Aster Drive on July 21. The Anne Arundel County Fire Department responded to the scene around 12:30 p.m., finding the home ablaze.
According to the arrest warrant affidavit, Latorre was intoxicated during the incident and began destroying items inside the house. He also allegedly threw feces at his girlfriend and made disturbing threats regarding her deceased son, whom she had previously lost.
The Investigation
Arson investigators with the Anne Arundel County Fire Department determined that Latorre "intentionally set" the fire. Court documents allege he used the gas stove to ignite the blaze before leaving the residence with his girlfriend and their pets still inside.
The victim managed to call 911 and escape safely along with the animals, authorities said. Firefighters responded quickly and extinguished the flames before they could spread to neighboring homes.
A neighbor who witnessed the aftermath described the scene to WBZ.
"I saw a lot of flames coming from my neighbor's house on the top of the roof," the neighbor recalled. He noted the potential for catastrophe had the fire spread further, saying "It's really sad to know that this person, I think, was being selfish because my house could have also caught on fire and a lot of people would have suffered from that type of act."
During the confrontation, authorities say Latorre made several chilling statements. According to the warrant, he said: "I'm getting out of here... I'm going to burn it to the ground… You're going to die in this house." The victim reportedly recorded a portion of the argument on her phone.
Key Takeaways
- Carmello S. Latorre has been charged with attempted murder, arson and assault in Anne Arundel County Circuit Court
- The alleged attack occurred at approximately 12:30 p.m. July 21 in Glen Burnie, Md., a Baltimore suburb
- Investigators determined the fire was intentionally set using the home's gas stove
- Latorre allegedly made threats to force his girlfriend to consume her dead son's ashes before igniting the residence
- The victim escaped safely with pets; no injuries were reported
What's Next
Latorre remains held at the Anne Arundel County Jail without bond. He is scheduled to appear in court on Aug. 18, where prosecutors are expected to outline additional evidence supporting the charges against him.