Authorities accused the woman of fleeing Puerto Rico after the Jan. 2 fire that left four businesses inoperable.
SAN JUAN — A Missouri woman has been indicted by a federal grand jury on an arson charge after allegedly setting fire to a bar in Puerto Rico, where authorities say she had twice clashed with employees on New Year’s Day. The middle-of-the-night blaze destroyed Bar Marea and an adjacent restaurant, gift shop and fully booked hotel in the seaside town of Cabo Rojo, according to court filings. The roughly 20 guests who were staying there escaped, the filings said.
On January 2, affected businesses posted footage of the damage as well as pictures and videos showing a woman they believed was at fault. On Thursday, authorities arrested Danielle Bertothy, 36, in Missouri, where they allegeshe fled hours after the fire. She remained in custody Friday after an initial court appearance, according to Lymarie Llovet-Ayala, spokeswoman for the U.S. attorney’s office in Puerto Rico. A bail hearing is scheduled for today.