Bond set for arson suspect | Local News

Romero’s conditions of release dictate that he must stay away from the two locations and not leave Chaves County without prior permission of the court.

Romero faces two counts each of arson, residential burglary and criminal trespass, and one count of concealing identity for allegedly setting two fires early Saturday.

No one was injured, but a criminal complaint against Romero indicated that both structures reportedly sustained heavy fire and smoke damage.

Fire crews responded to the first fire at about 12:16 a.m. at an outbuilding attached to an 800 block of West Second Street business. The interior room was reportedly damaged. Crews were able to knock down the fire quickly.

The criminal complaint states damage to the building was estimated to be between $10,000 and $15,000.

A second fire at an abandoned apartment complex in the 1100 block of South Ohio Avenue was reported minutes later. The complaint states that one of the apartments received significant fire smoke damage.

Soon after the fires were reported and extinguished, police searched the area and encountered Romero walking east near Third Street and Kentucky Avenue.

When police questioned, the complaint indicates Romero said he did not have any identification with him and allegedly provided officers with a false name, date of birth and social security number.

Police were able to ascertain Romero’s true identity based on previous encounters.

Surveillance camera footage from near the 800 block of West Second Street business where the first fire was set allegedly places Romero at the scene. The complaint says the…