SOUTHERN NEW MEXICO
Woman charged over fires set at NMSU
Yucca plant, palm trees torched; scooter also taken, investigators say
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A series of three fires on New Mexico State University鈥檚 Las Cruces campus has led to the arrest of a local woman on charges of arson and larceny.
NMSU鈥檚 fire department extinguished fires that burned a yucca plant, palm trees and a scooter on campus in the early hours Sunday and Monday. Later on Monday, a scooter of the same make and description, valued at $600, was reported stolen, according to NMSU police.
The university stated in a news release that the incidents took place near a sorority residence, between the undergraduate learning center and Domenici Hall and near Branson Library.
NMSU police circulated an image from security video believed to show a suspect in an effort to identify the person. An NMSU dispatcher identified the individual in the footage as Robin Appleton, 58, saying she visited the dispatch office in March, according to charging documents. Appleton was found on campus and taken into custody early Wednesday.
In court documents, NMSU police allege that Appleton confessed to stealing the scooter and to setting at least two fires. Asked about a third, police allege Appleton told an officer 鈥渟he did not recall setting this fire, but she could not say that she did not do it.鈥�
Appleton has been charged with three counts of arson over $500 and $2,500 and one count of larceny over $500. Each count is a fourth-degree felony. Appleton was released under pretrial conditions with a court hearing scheduled in June. She appeared to have no defense attorney as of Thursday.
Appleton is also awaiting court proceedings on a felony charge of criminal property damage at Three Crosses Hospital, where she was accused of vandalizing a car in March.
In 2016, Appleton pleaded guilty to battery on a healthcare worker and was sentenced to probation. Prior to that she had been convicted in numerous cases of arson or negligent arson.
鈥淚 appreciate the community鈥檚 due diligence,鈥� NMSU Police Chief Justin Dunivan said in a written statement. 鈥淲e received numerous tips to help with our investigation, and I'm incredibly grateful for the hard work of everyone involved in solving this case.鈥�
Algernon 顿鈥橝尘尘补蝉蝉补 is the Journal鈥檚 southern New Mexico correspondent. He can be reached at adammassa@abqjournal.com.
