Man and woman arrested for car fire in Lafayette apartment complex

LAFAYETTE, Louisiana – Investigators have arrested a man and woman on arson charges after setting fire to a vehicle outside a Lafayette apartment complex.

According to the Lafayette Fire Department, firefighters were called to a vehicle fire at the Eagle Run Apartments, 810 South College Drive, just before 1 a.m. on Wednesday, June 19. Upon arrival, firefighters found a vehicle fully engulfed in flames in the parking lot. Flames spread to two neighboring vehicles. After the fire was extinguished, three vehicles sustained fire damage.

Lafayette fire investigators concluded that the vehicle was intentionally set on fire. During the criminal investigation, two people were identified as possible suspects. Arrest warrants were obtained for 43-year-old Judd Guilbeau and 35-year-old Mariah Janik. Both suspects were charged with one count of arson and two counts of criminal damage to property, officials report.

The suspects turned themselves in Monday evening at the Lafayette Parish Correctional Center.

The incident remains under investigation.

Anyone with information regarding the vehicle fires is asked to contact the Lafayette Fire Department Investigations Division or Lafayette Crime Stoppers at 337.232.TIPS (8477).