Man charged with arson after allegedly setting fire to PNC bank on South Congress Avenue

AUSTIN, Texas — An arsonist identified in a recent incident at PNC Bank is believed to be linked to an earlier case, authorities say.

Luis A. Reyes, 34, is charged with arson after allegedly setting a fire at the PNC Bank at 2401 S. Congress Avenue at approximately 1:01 p.m. on Wednesday, August 21.

According to court documents, Reyes started a fire on the bank’s drive-thru subway control panel. The incident was reported by the bank manager, but because the fire had already been extinguished by bank employees, there was no immediate response from Austin police.

PNC Bank’s Regional Physical Security Specialist, who had previously worked with the Austin Fire Department lieutenant on similar cases, provided critical information to AFD. During a video review via Microsoft Teams, the suspect was recognized as Reyes, the same person involved in a previous similar arson attack at another business and arrested that same afternoon.

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Witnesses in the previous case reported seeing Reyes leave the store at 201 E Oltorf around 1 p.m. and walk west toward the PNC Bank, which is two stores west and in the same commercial complex.

The AFD lieutenant observed Reyes in the video walking toward the drive-thru lanes wearing khaki shorts and no shirt – similar clothing observed during his previous arrest. Reyes was filmed in the video inserting a burning object into the base of the bench, starting the fire. Witnesses and the bench prosecutor confirmed Reyes’ presence and actions.

According to court documents, Reyes was observed standing at the bank’s window yelling “Take me to jail” and “Arrest me” three times in Spanish.

The bank manager found that spare parts had been ordered, but no invoice was available at the time of reporting.

Reyes is now facing arson, a second-degree felony, for causing damage to the bank building.