Fake IDs likely for 2 charged with setting woman on fire: Police believe third suspect furnished accurate information
While three men are behind bars for allegedly setting a Measels Estates woman on fire Saturday morning, prosecutors admit they are not sure who they actually have in custody.
According to District Attorney General Dale Potter, investigators are looking into the identities of two of the three persons charged with the attack on Gina Thompson, noting the men may not be who they claim to be. The suspects, presently identified as Ruben Pimentel, Franklin De La Cruz and Luiz Gonzalez, are charged with attempted first-degree murder and aggravated arson for setting Thompson on fire.
While authorities believe they know Pimentel’s real name, seeing he had lived in neighboring Coffee County for some time, they are not sure about Gonzalez and De La Cruz. Informed sources say both Gonzalez and De La Cruz arrived in Coffee County from New York less than eight hours before the incident happened. They were reportedly brought here by Pimentel following his trip to New York.
At this point, authorities believe Gonzalez’s real name may be Gomez or Mesa, while De La Cruz is suspected to have a last name of Hernandez. Both men reportedly had identifications. However, authorities are questioning if the IDs were falsified. They are also questioning if Gonzalez and De La Cruz are legal citizens.
Given the fact authorities are unsure of their actual identities, searching the background offenses of the suspects could be difficult. Authorities believe all three men are of Dominican decent, with Pimentel likely being the member of the trio born in the United States.
“We’re still looking into this and we hope to figure out their identities and if they are who they say they are,” Potter said, noting the name game will not interfere with the charges against the men.