Suspect's advances were scorned
Marlon A. Walker, Staff Writer

Published: Jun 25, 2008 12:30 AM
Modified: Jun 25, 2008 02:24 AM

A man arrested last week is accused of starting a fire to get even with a woman who refused his sexual advances, a search warrant made public Tuesday stated.

The warrant contends that Angela Wood was in her home on Chatham Street in Apex when she saw flashes of light coming from the front of her apartment. Upon investigation, she realized the light was flames from a fire in her front door area.

After dousing the fire with a mop, she also realized there was fire damage on her van. When she was outside, the warrant stated, she noticed a man, whom she identified as Ruben Rivera Rubio, 34, running from her home with a red gas can under his arm.

Rubio, Wood told investigators, had approached her on several occasions in past years seeking a romantic relationship. Each time, she said, she rebuffed him. He recently began making threatening phone calls, the warrant states, saying he was going to kill her and burn her house down.

Investigators found traces of gasoline at the front and rear doors of Wood's home.

About a half-mile from Wood's home, officers pulled over Angel Magallanes-Barajas and Rubio during a traffic stop. The two were detained after authorities put out names of potential suspects in the arson. Apex Detective Joey Best wrote in the warrant that he smelled what he thought was gasoline on both men.

Authorities have seized the two men's clothing, along with the van they were in when stopped, a red gas can located near the scene and saliva samples from both men to see whether any samples taken from the gas can match either man.

Rubio, whose address was unavailable, was charged with attempted murder, first degree arson, injury to personal property, and communicating threats. On Tuesday night, he was being held in lieu of $600,000 bail at the Wake County Public Safety Center. He was also placed under hold by Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Magallanes-Barajas, 26, of 2014 Cedar Fork Road in Greensboro was charged with first degree arson, injury to personal property and not having a driver's license. He is being held in lieu of $27,000 bail at the Wake County Public Safety Center.

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