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Man arrested on suspicion of arson

Alexis DeLaCruz

— A 39-year-old Hayden man was arrested Monday on suspicion of trying to destroy a neighboring business.

Frank Richard Flores faces charges of criminal attempt arson, using noxious substances and reckless endangerment after Hayden police officers found a garden hose in the man’s home that is suspected to have been used to pipe natural gas into a neighboring business. The arrest was the result of nearly three weeks of investigation.

Hayden Police Chief Ray Birch on Tuesday said Frank Richard Flores was arrested at his place of employment Monday after officers obtained an arrest warrant.



Flores, who lived next door to Curbside Laundry in the 100 block of South Walnut Street in Hayden, allegedly piped natural gas into the business with the intent of burning the building down, Birch said.

Birch could not comment further because the case is still under investigation.



Flores reportedly had been involved in several civil disputes with the neighboring business owner and his landlord, and Hayden police officers had mediated the disputes, he said.

On March 8, officers reportedly found an uncapped valve on a 4-inch natural gas line and a coiled garden hose that smelled like natural gas in Flores’ home, Birch said.

Atmos Energy officials had determined the natural gas was not coming from the business and that there were no leaks in any of the business’ equipment, Birch said.

Officers made an “emergency entrance” into Flores’ home to determine if the natural gas leak was coming from his unit. While in Flores’ home, officers noticed the uncapped natural gas valve and the coiled garden hose that smelled of natural gas, Birch said.

No injuries were reported.

During his advisement in Routt County Court on Monday, Judge James Garrecht set Flores’ bond at $18,000. He is scheduled to return for a court hearing at 2 p.m. April 11.


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