Man Arrested for Setting Storm Drain Fire After Illegal Dumping in Northwest Houston
Houston Police Department detectives arrested a 21-year-old man last week in connection with an illegal dumping incident that led to a dangerous fire in northwest Houston.
According to HPD, detectives with the Major Offenders Division, Environmental Investigations Squad, and the Midwest Division Crime Suppression Team arrested Santiago Hernandez Nieto on December 26, 2025. He has been charged with felony water pollution.
Investigators say Nieto illegally dumped flammable materials into a storm drain in the 10900 block of the Northwest Freeway. After dumping the materials, he allegedly set them on fire, creating a hazardous situation that posed a risk to public safety and the environment.
HPD emphasized that illegal dumping and environmental crimes will not be tolerated and that offenders will be held accountable.
