The Latest: Federal authorities charge man in Old Navy fire

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – The Latest on fires and vandalism that authorities say damaged Starbucks coffee shops, an Old Navy store and other Albuquerque establishments (all times local):

10:55 a.m.

Federal authorities have charged a man with using an explosive device to damage an Old Navy store in Albuquerque, where a string of fires and vandalism over the holiday weekend damaged three Starbucks shops, a Barnes & Noble, and other establishments.

A federal complaint states that police arrested David Hickman early Saturday morning after he pulled away from the shopping centre where an Albuquerque police officer who was on patrol said he had heard “small explosions.”

Authorities did not link Hickman in court documents to other local fires under investigation.

Federal agents say they discovered assault rifle, ammunition, and a box labeled “Tannerite” in his vehicle with jars containing a white substance. The complaint also says Hickman had a loaded handgun in a holster attached to his belt and emergency flare tucked into his waistband.

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10:31 a.m.

An Albuquerque Barnes & Noble damaged by a suspicious fire over the weekend won’t lay off employees while it cleans during the holiday season.

Barnes & Noble spokeswoman Mary Ellen Keating told The Associated Press on Monday some booksellers are in the store helping with clean up while others are working shifts at another store in Albuquerque.

She said no one is losing pay.

Authorities say two suspicious fires damaged the Albuquerque Barnes & Noble and an Old Navy early Saturday morning. Officials say buildings suffered smoke and water damage.

The fires come after “suspicious devices” were left at three Albuquerque Starbucks coffee shops on Friday. A series of fires were lit at an anti-abortion ministry and a luxury condo complex was destroyed by a blaze last week.