A New Mexico man allegedly splashed gasoline on his wife and attempted to set her on fire after she says he became upset because he did not qualify for a coronavirus stimulus check.
Police say Joe Macias, 63, attacked his wife at their mobile home at a trailer park at the 7400 block of San Pedro NE, just north of San Antonio, New Mexico
Albuquerque police responded to the scene at about 8:30pm to find his disabled wife lying on the floor, with her hair and pajamas drenched in gasoline.
Macias has been charged with attempted murder, kidnapping, and aggravated battery against a household member.
Macias’ wife reportedly told police that he walked into his mobile home on Wednesday at around 5pm with a four-pack of beer.
After discovering he wouldn’t get the government check, he asked his wife for her car keys.
But when she wouldn’t hand them over, she claims he screamed ‘you’re going to pay the consequences’ , the Albuquerque Journal reports.
She said he returned a few hours later with a gas can and shoved her to the floor.
Macias then allegedly threw gasoline on her and throughout the mobile home before flicking his lighter to light a cigarette. But some of gasoline had doused his lighter, preventing it from sparking a blaze.
Police reported finding Macias walking down the street with his clothes soaked in gasoline.
He is being held at the Albuquerque’s Metropolitan Detention Center.
*story by Daily Mail