Sheriff: Ark. arson victims fear ICE, won't talk

Last Update: 1/02 9:22 am

BATESVILLE, Ark. (AP) - The victims of three arson incidents in recent weeks have declined to cooperate with investigators because they are illegal immigrants from Guatemala and fear they will be deported, Independence County Sheriff Keith Bowers says.

Investigators said Wednesday they have a suspect, also believed to be a Guatemalan, and believe the arsons stem from a disagreement between the victims and the suspect.

Bowers said in a news release Wednesday that the investigations "have been brought to a standstill, due to the victims of the crimes not cooperating with us."

Two of the fires occurred in the early morning hours of Dec. 23 when cars parked in carports at separate homes on the same block were set afire. The other arson occurred Dec. 16, also with a car set afire in a carport.

In one of the Dec. 23 incidents, the fire spread from the car and fully engulfed the house before the Batesville Fire Department could arrive. The residents were not home at the time.

In the other arson that night, firefighters used a chain hooked to a fire truck to drag the burning car clear of the house. The family was evacuated until the blaze was brought under control and their home suffered only minor damage.

Lt. Brenda Bittle, chief investigator for the sheriff's office, said interviews with the victims were scheduled on Dec. 24.

"A phone call from our interpreter came in to Detective Alan Cockrill and (Cockrill) was told the victims would not come into the office and give statements because they are illegal immigrants and felt that ICE (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement) would take them into custody," Bittle said.

Bittle said the interpreter, a U.S. citizen, was asked to take statement forms to the victims for completion, and bring them back to the sheriff's office.

"As of today, the victims refuse to cooperate with the investigation," Bittle said. "It is believed the victims know the identity of the suspect, but without cooperation, the case has hit a stumbling block."

Information from: Batesville Guard, http://www.guardonline.com/

Associated Press

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