Pages past, Jan. 30: Suspicious fires were plaguing Portales

On this date ...

1982: Portales police were looking for an arsonist.

Officials said six city fires had been declared arson so far in January, with damages exceeding $60,000.

Crimestoppers was offering a reward of $800 for information leading to the capture and conviction of the firebug.

Within a few weeks, the number of suspected arsons would grow to 18 and Crimestoppers rewards would reach $3,000 for information leading to arrest and conviction.

Portales police said all of the fires were set in unlocked garages, carports, sheds or vehicles. Detective Jack Sheffer was urging residents to keep their houses and vehicles locked and asking “all suspicious people” be reported to law enforcement.

The hunt for a suspect continued into March, but the series of suspicious blazes stopped after mid-February.

Pages Past is compiled by David Stevens. Contact:

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