Hunter
08/02/21
An area transient was arrested over the weekend after allegedly trying to set a gas pump on fire.
According to police, 20-year-old Franco Rodriguez was at the Kum & Go on the Coralville Strip Friday just before 9:30pm. He was allegedly seen in the area after officers were called for a man attempting to light a gas pump on fire.
When interviewed under Miranda, Rodriguez allegedly admitted that he attempted to set the pump on fire in order to cause harm to others. He was shown camera footage of the incident and admitted that he was the individual in the video.
Then on Sunday morning, Rodriguez was reportedly back on the premises after given a trespass warning. He was arrested, and officers reportedly found a small amount of marijuana in his right pocket.
Rodriguez faces up to 25 years in prison if convicted on first degree Arson charges; he was also charged with a simple misdemeanor for the marijuana possession.