City of Tucumcari, police sued over 2014 arson fires

The city of Tucumcari, New Mexico, and six of its cops recently were slapped with a lawsuit over a former fellow police officer who ended up in prison for torching a closed Route 66 motel and an abandoned house. Courthouse News Service reports the plaintiffs allege nepotism and a lack of screening while hiring now-disgraced officer Dustin Lopez, … Continue reading City of Tucumcari, police sued over 2014 arson fires

Former Tucumcari cop gets 4 1/2 years for arsons

A former police officer was sentenced last week to 4 1/2 years in prison for his role in two arson fires in Tucumcari, New Mexico, last year, including a closed motel on Route 66, according to the Quay County Sun. Dustin "Dusty" Lopez, the former officer, and co-defendant Robert Sandoval were sentenced for fires at … Continue reading Former Tucumcari cop gets 4 1/2 years for arsons

Former cop pleads guilty to Tucumcari motel arson

A former police officer and another man pleaded guilty Friday to arson charges in burning down the closed Payless Inn on Route 66 and an abandoned house in Tucumcari, New Mexico, on Sept. 3, according to the Quay County Sun newspaper and other media outlets. Dustin “Dusty” Lopez, the former Tucumcari officer, and Robert Sandoval … Continue reading Former cop pleads guilty to Tucumcari motel arson

Tucumcari cop implicated in arson probe

A man who recently resigned from the Tucumcari, New Mexico, Police Department is the subject of an investigation into several arson fires last month, reported the Quay County Sun, including those that destroyed the long-closed Payless Inn on Route 66 and the closed Tucumcari Motel on old U.S. 54. Dustin Lopez quit the force the … Continue reading Tucumcari cop implicated in arson probe

Fire destroys abandoned motel in Tucumcari

A suspected arson fire early Wednesday destroyed a long-closed motel known as the Payless Inn on Route 66 in Tucumcari, New Mexico, according to the Quay County Sun newspaper. When firefighters arrived at the Payless Inn, 2000 W. Rte. 66 Blvd., three separate buildings on the property were engulfed in flames, Rigdon said.  The blaze leveled … Continue reading Fire destroys abandoned motel in Tucumcari