A 21-year-old Redwood City man who pleaded no contest to arson in January for his role in lighting two cars on fire in 2017 was sentenced to six months in county jail and three years probation Tuesday, according to the San Mateo County District Attorney’s Office.
Out of custody on a $50,000 bail bond, Aldo Cueto will receive nine days credit for time served and will next appear in court March 29 for receipt of a restitution report, according to prosecutors.
Police officers found Cueto watching as two cars burned on the 1100 block of Parkwood Way in Redwood City Aug. 27, 2017. Cueto, who had a lighter in his pocket and a burn on one finger, was caught on nearby surveillance footage next to the two cars prior to incident, according to prosecutors previously.
Further police investigation showed that Cueto, who lived on nearby Atherwood Avenue, lit two rags on fire and stuffed them over the gas tank caps on each car, according to prosecutors.
District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe said he was glad Cueto receive jail time given the serious consequences of arson.
“In California, any arson case is particularly scary,” he said. “Every area in this state including everywhere in this county suffers from danger of arson.”
Cueto’s defense attorney Garen Nazarian could not be immediately reached for comment.
(1) comment
Six months in jail for torching two vehicles? Anyone out there who thinks this is a very light sentence? Hopefully there are some mitigating factors like first offense and willingness to enter a counseling program.
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