A local woman was arrested on a felony warrant Tuesday stemming from allegations she "totaled" her ex-boyfriend's mother's truck last year by pouring an unknown substance into the vehicle's fuel system.
Anahi Morales, 22, of Hot Springs, was taken into custody shortly after 3:30 p.m. at the corner of Pleasant and Garden streets and served with the warrant for first-degree criminal mischief over $25,000, punishable by up to 20 years in prison.
Morales, who lists no prior criminal history, was later released on a $5,000 bond and is set to appear April 16 in Garland County District Court.
According to the probable cause affidavit, on July 12, 2023, around 2 p.m., Hot Springs police Officer Cristian Rios responded to Walmart, 1601 Albert Pike Road, and made contact with a woman who stated her 2021 Toyota Tacoma had been tampered with in the store's parking lot.
On Oct. 20, Officer Zach Hoofman responded to the woman's residence on Garland Avenue because the victim reportedly had more information. She told him she had watched the surveillance footage from Walmart, which showed a female approaching her parked truck with "a jug of an unknown substance."
The female, who she reportedly recognized as her son's ex-girlfriend, identified as Morales, stood next to her truck "where the fuel is added" for a few moments before walking off.
Greg Orr Toyota ended up "totaling out" her truck, due to "severe disabling damage." The cost of the truck was $40,000 so she wanted to pursue charges against Morales.
On Nov. 30, HSPD Detective Joey Vanderburg determined the victim's insurance had "paid out on the vehicle," minus the $250 deductible, in the total amount of $40,411.96 "due to the damages caused by an unknown contaminant being in the fuel system."
After further investigation, a warrant was issued for Morales on Dec. 29, which was served on Tuesday.