A Bradenton man is accused of setting fire to his ex-girlfriend’s apartment, police say.
Robert Goolsby, 46, is facing charges of attempted murder, criminal mischief, unlawful use of a two-way communication device and multiple counts of arson after police say he set fire to an apartment in the 2000 block of Fifth St. W. in Bradenton.
Goolsby’s attorney declined to provide comment to the Bradenton Herald.
The Bradenton Police Department responded to a call about a fire shortly after 2 a.m. on June 23, where officers said they found a doorway to an apartment on fire, with flames spreading up toward the roof. Police say they used a fire extinguisher to put out the flames.
The apartment was one of eight residences in the building and all were occupied at the time of the fire but there were no injuries, police say.
Police interviewed the woman who lived in the apartment, who identified herself as Goolsby’s ex-girlfriend. She told police Goolsby had been harassing her leading up to the fire, calling her repeatedly and sending her threatening text messages “in a fit of rage,” according to court records.
Bradenton man lit apartment on fire, police say
“I warn you cause I will come in there, don’t get quiet now,” one of the text messages Goolsby allegedly sent to the ex-girlfriend said, according to court documents.
Police say Goolsby knew the ex-girlfriend and the new boyfriend were inside the apartment at the time of the incident and that Goolsby asked her to meet him alone at the back gate.
The ex-girlfriend also told police she filed for an injunction against Goolsby after she said he threatened to kill her around March and that he often carries an assault rifle or handgun with him, according to court documents.
Police say when they questioned Goolsby he told them he was upset about the new boyfriend.
After talking to him and the ex-girlfriend, police arrested Goolsby shortly before 5 a.m., according to a spokesperson with the Bradenton Police Department.
Goolsby remains in custody after appearing in court on June 28, where a judge determined the need to hold him without bond leading up to the trial due to “past and present patterns of behavior,” according to court records.
Goolsby previously appeared in court on June 25, where he pleaded not guilty and demanded a trial.
Court records show Goolsby has previously been convicted on multiple drug charges involving the possession, sale or delivery of cocaine.
Goolsby is next scheduled to appear in court on August 16 for a hearing.
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