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Police: Suspect in custody for dealership fires

Clovis police said Monday they have a suspect in custody for weekend fires at The Hamilton Auto Group’s Auto World car dealership in Clovis and GM Country in Portales.

Clovis Police Capt. Patrick Whitney declined to identify the suspect until charges are filed.

Whitney said that although the fire department has not confirmed arson, the biggest wait to charging a suspect will be on the time frame of the fire department’s investigation.

Clovis Fire Battalion Chief Dale Hand said the fire at Auto World on Saturday night damaged the downstairs offices at the dealership on Second and Maple streets. The building was unoccupied and firefighters had the blaze under control in 20 minutes.

The fire at the GM Country in Portales happened just before midnight and continued into early Sunday morning. Portales Fire Chief Gary Nuckols declined to comment Monday on damage estimates or the cause of the fire, saying because he has yet to see a report and the fire remains under investigation.