Secretary arrested as suspect in arson case of the Ecuador embassy

November 26^th, 2012 (InsideCostaRica.com) Agents of the Judicial Investigation Organization (OIJ) arrested a 42-year-old woman on Friday, as a suspect in the arson fire that occurred in Ecuador’s embassy on November 21^st.

The woman had been working as a secretary for the consulate for 4 years, and it seems that her motive for causing the fire was related to several disputes that the woman had with her coworkers.

According to the investigation, on the day of the fire the woman arrived at the embassy around 5:00am, supposedly to exercise, despite the fact that her shift did not begin until 8:00am.

Shortly thereafter, the woman apparently called her boss to report that she had heard footsteps on the second floor of the building.  She then left the building wearing sport clothing, supposedly to go for a jog.  Three minutes later, firefighters received a called from a nearby resident alerting them to the fire.

After the fire, agents found newspaper scattered in several offices, especially next to doors, as well as a strong smell of gasoline.

Investigators say the woman is the main suspect in the arson, and may have purchased the gasoline used to start the fire on the way from her home to the embassy.