The authorities have now located the man who set his former home on fire in the 1000 block of Daisy Court in Lawrenceville.

Forty-five year old Roberto Fernandez-Centena of Lawrenceville was located shortly after 10 a.m. on Sunday, December 26, 2010.  He was discovered on the back porch of a home on Flagg Way, in the same general area where the fire occurred.  The resident called Gwinnett County police to alert them to Roberto's whereabouts.  He showed signs of moderate hypothermia and was taken to a local hospital for evaluation.  Roberto told police that he hid out in the woods until he was found this morning.  Roberto will be formerly charged by Fire Investigators and booked at the Gwinnett County Detention Center upon leaving the hospital.  Roberto will be charged by investigators with first-degree arson, cruelty to children, and aggravated assault.  Each charge is a felony with a maximum of up to twenty-years behind bars. 

Additional media information will be sent by the Fire-PIO when available.         

Update provided: 12/26/10 at 3:31 p.m.

Captain Tommy Rutledge, PIO

Gwinnett Fire & Emergency Services

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MAN WANTED FOR ARSON AND ATTEMPTING TO HARM HIMSELF AND HIS YOUNG DAUGHTER

LAWRENCEVILLE - (Friday, December 24, 2010) Gwinnett County Fire Investigators are trying to locate a Lawrenceville father who took his young daughter to their former family home and then set the house on fire.  The young girl ran from the burning house and went to a neighbors to call for help.

The two went to their former home, which is currently under foreclosure and was not being lived in at the time.  The man is estranged from his wife and was visiting with his daughter. Witnesses reported seeing Roberto Fernandez-Centena and his six-year old daughter exit from their vehicle then enter the home.  Roberto was carrying a gas can according to witness accounts.  A witness saw flames erupt and the child running from the house moments later.  The child told authorities that her father set the house on fire and was trying to kill himself.  "Fire Investigators believe Roberto was intending to cause harm to the child as well as himself," said Gwinnett Fire Captain Tommy Rutledge. 

There was no one at the house, located in the 1000 block of Daisy Court, NW in Lawrenceville, when the fire department and police arrived.  It is believed that Roberto fled the home before units arrived at the scene.  The fire was quickly contained by firefighters and caused moderate damage to the garage and the vehicle parked inside.  The child was treated for smoke inhalation and is currently with relatives.  The girl is not being identified because she is a minor and due to federal patient privacy (HIPAA) laws.      

Fire Investigators and police are still attempting to locate Roberto.  "Based on the circumstances, Roberto is considered a threat to himself and anyone he may come into contact with.  It is unknown if he is armed with any type of weapon at this time," Rutledge said. 

Roberto Fernandez-Centena is described as a Hispanic male, age-45, with salt and pepper hair color.  He is approximately 5'7 and weighs 170 pounds.  He was last seen wearing a black turtle neck and blue jeans. He may or may not use "Centena" when giving his name.  He is thought to have fled on foot through a wooded area behind the house.  Fire Investigators are in the process of securing warrants for Roberto's impending arrest.  Charges include first-degree arson, cruelty to children, and aggravated assault.  Each charge is a felony with a maximum of twenty-years behind bars.                          

Anyone with information concerning the whereabouts of Roberto Fernandez-Centena is asked to contact the authorities (9-1-1) immediately.

Gwinnett Fire Arson & Explosives Section

678.518.4890

Gwinnett County Police

770.513.5911

Two photos of Roberto Fernandez-Centena are attached to the e-mail for this news release as well as a photo of the house.  One photo is a 2006 arrest photo and the other is a recent casual photo.  Additional media information will be sent by the Fire-PIO when available. 

INCIDENT DATE: 12/24/10

TIME DISPATCHED: 10:12 A.M.

LOCATION: 1000 BLOCK OF DAISY COURT, LAWRENCEVILLE

EQUIPMENT AT THE SCENE INCLUDED: Engine-25, Company-5, Engine-23, Engine-20, Squad-20, Air-9, Medic-25, Medic-5, MS-1, Battalion-4, Battalion-1, Arson-1, Arson-4, Gwinnett Police, and Car-10/Fire PIO.