EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — A 50-year-old man was recently arrested after he was seen with a torch lighter igniting at least three fires in Socorro, according to the Socorro Police Department.
Shortly after 8 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 6, officers were dispatched to the area of Horizon Boulevard and East Burt Road about an arson report.
Upon arrival, officers spoke with a witness who said she observed a man igniting fires as he walked south on Horizon Boulevard. She stated she extinguished one fire out of concern it might spread to a nearby structure.
The witness further stated that after doing so, the man made an “obscene gesture” toward her and then proceeded to ignite three additional fires, to which the Socorro Fire Department responded and successfully extinguished the fires, according to police.
Officers located the man in the area and identified him as 50-year-old Robert Cortez Jr. He was also found in possession of a torch lighter and was positively identified by the witness.
He was booked into the El Paso County Detention Facility for arson with a $3,000 bond.
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