Mobile UPI  |   About UPI  |   UPI en Español  |   UPI Arabic  |   UPIU  |   My Account
Search:
Go

Arson suspects arrested in abortion fire

|
|
 
  
Published: Dec. 28, 2007 at 11:56 AM

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.

Recommended Stories
© 2007 United Press International, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Any reproduction, republication, redistribution and/or modification of any UPI content is expressly prohibited without UPI's prior written consent.

Order reprints
  
Join the conversation
Most Popular Collections
Protesters, police clash at NATO summit Notable deaths of 2012 2012 Billboard Music Awards
The 137th Preakness Stakes Annual Solar eclipse occurs in U.S. Chen Guangcheng arrives in the U.S.
Additional Top News Stories
1 of 20
Vietnam Veterans Memorial Visited in Washington
View Caption
Veterans etch the names of their friends inscribed on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial on the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War on May 26, 2012 in Washington, DC. More than 58,000 names of the servicemen who were killed or missing in the war are engraved on The Wall. UPI/Pat Benic
fark
Denver's solution for motorists who refuse to pull over for emergency vehicles: BASS
Never bring a pitchfork to a gunfight
Hi, I'm a stupid idiot. Please come rob me
Apparently there's no mandatory retirement age for burglars. w/classic mugshot
Dentistry in the UK needs reform. Unfortunately you can't just put an obvious tag in for the actual...
The Twins' infield is a very dusty place