CSPD: Arson suspect arrested in Colorado Springs vehicle fires
(COLORADO SPRINGS) — A man has been arrested after a series of vehicle fires in the late evening hours of Sunday, April 28 according to the Colorado Springs Police Department (CSPD).
CSPD said on Sunday at around 9:10 p.m. officers were called to help the Colorado Springs Fire Department (CSFD) with traffic control while firefighters worked on a vehicle fire in an alleyway that was threatening structures in the 2700 block of West Pikes Peak Avenue in Old Colorado City.
At around 9:15 p.m. CSFD and CSPD were called to a second vehicle fire threatening a structure in the 2400 block of West Kiowa Street, and about an hour later at 10:15 p.m., a third vehicle fire was reported in the 2000 block of W. Kiowa St.
Police began receiving reports from citizens of a suspicious man moving through the area, possibly with a stolen firearm from one of the vehicles. A shelter-in-place notice was sent to those living in the area and multiple officers responded to begin a search.
According to CSPD, a homeowner reported a possible suspect in their backyard, and officers with the help of a CSFD drone, found the suspect, who was later identified as 28-year-old Bernie Hidalgo. CSPD said the Regional Explosives Unit was later called to investigate the fires as arson.
Police said Hidalgo was taken into custody without incident and the stolen firearm was found. He was later taken to the Criminal Justice Center and is facing multiple charges including Arson.
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