Footage from a surveillance camera has led to the arrest of Joshua Benavidez and Irene Enriquez for allegedly setting a homeless man on fire with fireworks on July 11 in Albuquerque. Even worse, the couple did so in front of their three children, who watched from the car they were in.
Claiming it was just a “prank,” the couple drove up to a homeless Native American man they saw alongside the road and threw a lit firework at the man. They then drove away even though it was obvious the man was on fire.
The victim is in critical condition at the intensive care unit of a local hospital.
Also, the actions the couple took after allegedly committing the crime have come to light since their arrest. For example, when Benavidez discovered that authorities had a video of his purple SUV at the crime scene, he tried to paint it white. He then lied to police, claiming that he sold a “white” Tahoe to “some Hispanic guy in the South Valley.” Neighbors reported that his familiar purple SUV was parked at his home just a few days prior.
Benavidez and Enriquez also told reporters they turned themselves in when they realized their attempt to “rattle” and “startle” the homeless man had ended up with the man being severely burned. They claimed they simply “didn’t know” the man was on fire when they drove away. But this is directly contradicted by Benavidez’s son, who was in the car with his 12-year old stepbrother and 2-year old sister. He says that they “did know” and that the man was “smoldering” as they drove away. When Enriquez noticed this, she allegedly wanted to get out of the car and toss water on the burning man, but Benavidez decided to keep driving.
Appearing before a judge Thursday, Enriquez asked to be set free from jail because she’s pregnant. The judge denied the request. The couple is being charged with aggravated battery with great bodily harm, tampering with evidence, child abuse, and conspiracy.
Dennis Plummer, CEO of Heading Home, said the horrific crime is common among the homeless:
“I was really appalled; it was such a horrific event. Crime, hatred, anger, these tragedies are not new. We know that homeless people are easy targets when they’re left defenseless on the street.”
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