Feds charge man with setting fires during Raleigh protests

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Federal authorities say that a North Carolina man is facing charges related to setting fires in two businesses in downtown Raleigh during protests against racism and police brutality.

The Raleigh News & Observer reports that agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms arrested Richard Rubalcava on Thursday. The 26-year-old is charged with two counts of malicious damage by means of fire.

The city’s downtown was severely damaged during protests in late May. Many businesses were spray painted and had broken windows. The damage was estimated in the millions.

U.S. Attorney Robert Higdon said surveillance video showed Rubalcava going into a DGX convenience store and setting fire to items at the end of an aisle.

Federal authorities said that additional video showed him going into a restaurant and lighting a towel on fire before leaving it on a countertop.

Local police had already charged Rubalcava with first-degree arson and related counts. He’s listed as being a federal inmate in county jail. It’s unclear if he’s hired an attorney.