Arson suspects arrested in abortion fire

ALBUQUERQUE, Dec. 28 (UPI) -- New Mexico authorities arrested two men for allegedly setting a doctor's office ablaze after one of the men learned his ex-girlfriend scheduled an abortion.

The U.S. District Court in Albuquerque charged Clad Altman, 24, and Sergio Baca, 22, with arson involving a fire at the offices of Dr. Curtis Boyd on Dec. 6, the Albuquerque Journal said Friday.

Authorities accuse the men of breaking a window to gain entry to the office and using gasoline to set the fire before fleeing the scene in Altman's van.

"The girlfriend was scheduled to go to an appointment, and (Baca) allegedly intervened," said Albuquerque Fire Capt. Mike Paiz.

Officials with the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives arrested the men following tips that led investigators to Baca's roommate who said he encountered the men smelling of gasoline.

Investigators plan to use DNA technology to determine if a genetic match exists between the suspects and hair fibers found at the scene.

Paiz told the newspaper that investigators are examining the possibility that the men were involved in a string of incidents at other Albuquerque family planning clinics.

Altman and Baca both deny involvement in the fire.