© 2024 KRWG
News that Matters.
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Teen Charged In Las Cruces Arson

 

One of the teenagers suspected of starting the May 15 fire that burned part of a home on Brownlee Avenue has been arrested.

 

Sergio Galvan, 18, of 1550 W. Picacho Ave., was arrested the evening of May 15 and is charged with one count of negligent arson. Galvan was transported to the Dona Ana County Detention Center with bond set at $5,000.

 

Shortly after 4 p.m. on Tuesday, May 15, Las Cruces fire and police were called to 1808 Brownlee Ave. where a fire was burning behind the residence. Firefighters extinguished the blaze within about 15 minutes and discovered that the home was abandoned.

 

No injuries were reported.

 

Police detained Galvan and another young man who were seen running from the area. The two were subsequently questioned by police and fire investigators.

 

Investigators determined that Galvan and two other teenagers were in the backyard of the abandoned home, and were huffing lighter fluid in an attempt to achieve a chemical high. One of the teens then soaked a rag with lighter fluid, set it on fire and threw it on a pile of wood in the backyard.

 

A juvenile Class III citation has been issued for the teenager responsible for setting the fire. He has yet to be arrested. The citation charges him with arson.

 

Charges against the third teenager who was there when the fire was started are still possible.