Federal Authorities Execute Search Warrant in Puerto Rico Arson Investigation
Arson Investigation in Puerto Rico
Federal authorities executed a search warrant in St. Louis in connection with an investigation in Puerto Rico of a tourist accused of setting businesses on fire last week. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) in St. Louis is helping authorities in the U.S. territory conduct an arson investigation, but no arrests have been made, according to spokesperson Lisa Storey.
Investigation Details
Authorities in Puerto Rico are close to charging a suspect in the incident, in which security cameras caught a tourist suspected of setting the fire, Puerto Rico’s largest newspaper, El Nuevo Día, reported Tuesday. Charges could come as soon as this week or next week, Lt. Miguel Rivera Sepúlveda of the Mayagüez Police Department’s explosives division told the newspaper.
Incident Details
The incident took place early Thursday in the small coastal town of Cabo Rojo in the southwest part of the island. The woman, who is a tourist, left Puerto Rico and was back on the mainland, authorities in the island said. Videos and pictures of the incident have gone viral on social media, sparking outrage among Puerto Ricans on the island and in the mainland United States.
Eyewitness Account
Cabo Rojo Mayor Jorge Morales Wiscovitch said, "I wish they could have arrested her yesterday. She needs to be returned immediately and face the country’s justice system. It wasn’t just businesses that were burned. There were rooms on the second floor where people were sleeping. People could have been burned and killed."
Background on the Incident
The suspect is a tourist who had been at one of the businesses, the restaurant, and was harassing people. Police escorted her twice to the nearby Airbnb property where she was staying. Later that night, after the businesses closed and everyone had gone home, reports of a fire began to emerge.
Investigation Progress
Security video from one of the businesses allowed investigators to identify the suspect as the tourist who had been harassing people earlier in the night. She later left in a white car that picked her up, Morales said.
Reactions and Statements
The restaurant, Bar Marea, said on Facebook that the tourist arrived at the business late at night and seemed to be intoxicated and "began to insult other patrons and even assaulted a woman and one of the servers." The hotel’s owner, Ángel Luis Marrero, said in an interview with El Nuevo Día that the fire caused damage estimated at $500,000 and affected the livelihoods of 15 employees.
Conclusion
The incident has sparked outrage and concern among authorities and residents, with many calling for the suspect’s immediate arrest and return to face justice. The investigation is ongoing, and authorities are working to identify and charge the suspect.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the current status of the investigation?
A: The investigation is ongoing, and authorities are close to charging a suspect.
Q: What is the motive behind the arson attack?
A: The motive is currently unknown and is being investigated by authorities.
Q: What is the extent of the damage caused by the fire?
A: The fire caused damage estimated at $500,000 and affected the livelihoods of 15 employees.
