Harris County SWAT: Man barricaded inside Spring home sets own house on fire, taken into custody
SPRING, Texas - The man behind an hours-long standoff in Spring on Thursday afternoon is now in custody after setting his own house on fire.
Our cameras were rolling as smoke began billowing from the house that later caused flames shooting into the sky.
The suspect, Pablo Bustos, surrendered to authorities, after the flames began to move across the top of the roof.
The standoff began Thursday afternoon in the 3200 block of Lotus Blossom Street after the ex-wife of Bustos went to the home to pick up some items.
Authorities said they were at the home with the ex-wife and began clearing the house as the ex-wife believed he might be there.
As officers were clearing the house, they came into contact with Bustos. He said he had a gun and officers pulled back and set up a perimeter.
"We knew how violent he was, so we actually set up our SOU team and K9 to come out and clear the residence, go in and find him in the residence. Luckily we didn't allow family members to come in," said Captain Vicente Medina with Harris County Constable Precinct 4 Office.
FULL VIDEO: Officials hold press conference after man barricaded inside Spring home sets house on fire
Harris County officials held a press conference to answer questions and share details on what happened after a man barricaded himself inside a Spring home and sets it on fire while he was still inside. The man, 28-year-old Pablo Patino Bustos, reportedly is the same man who set fire to the house where his wife was staying and then hit her with his vehicle when she came outside.
Authorities with the Harris County Sheriff's Office used multiple pieces of equipment in an effort to make contact with Bustos including robots and drones.
HCSO said at one point, a robot that was inside the home captured Bustos in the attic of the home with a fire already started. Officials said they believe he set the fire inside the home.
Pablo Bustos apprehended by authorities (Source: Harris County Constable, Pct. 4)
"When the robot went up to try to open a door that was on the attic, he was seen by the operators on the video, and the fire had already started behind him inside the attic. So he started the fire that engulfed the house," said Thomas Gilliland with the Harris County Sheriff's Office.
That fire spread throughout the roof of the home where officials said the home is now a total loss.
Bustos was taken to the hospital to be checked out following the incident. However, his condition was not released.
More charges are expected to be filed in connection with this fire.
Pablo Bustos apprehended by authorities (Source: Harris County Constable, Pct. 4)
Harris County Precinct 4 believes this is the same man who set fire to a different house where his wife was staying and then hit her with his vehicle when she came outside.
That fire was reported around 3:40 a.m. Tuesday in the 11400 block of Mortimer in northwest Harris County.
RELATED: Husband set Harris County house on fire, hit wife with vehicle
According to the Harris County Fire Marshal’s Office, Bustos and his wife are separated, and she and her daughter were staying at her parent's house.
The fire marshal’s office says the husband went to the home early Tuesday morning and intentionally set the house on fire. Authorities say there were six different fires around the house.
"He started putting t-shirts filled with gasoline on the entrance of the house," says Logan Saldana, the estranged wife's brother. "He was trying to light us on fire while we were sleeping."
Saldana grabbed a fire extinguisher to put out the fires while his family managed to get out safely. He says his sister then confronted her husband, who was parked outside. A video from a neighbor's home shows the moment of impact.
"You could hear him. He started revving his engine," says Saldana. "You could hear the tires screeching, when he turned in the cul de sac. My sister walked towards the street and was like, "what are you doing?" He (Bustos) hit her with the side of his car. On the elbow and her leg. And he just kept driving."
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According to HCFMO, the husband waited in his vehicle until the woman came outside and then tried to run her over.
Authorities say the woman was treated on the scene but refused transport to the hospital.
Court documents said the district attorney's office accepted arson of habitation, violation of protective order and aggravated assault charges. Authorities were searching for him. Family members say Bustos was due in court Tuesday for the assault charge his wife filed on Dec. 26.
Northwest Fire and Little York Fire responded to the scene to extinguish the fire, and HCFMO and the Harris County Sheriff’s Office also responded to investigate.