Failed US candidate arrested over spate of drive-by shootings

A FORMER Republican Party candidate who claimed the election he lost was rigged has been arrested in connection with a series of drive-by shootings targeting the homes of Democratic politicians.

Solomon Peña, 39, has been described by police as the “mastermind” of what appears to be a politically motivated conspiracy leading to shootings at the homes of two county commissioners and two state legislators in New Mexico.

He was taken into custody after an armed tactical police unit raided his home in Albuquerque. No one was injured in the shootings but in one case three bullets passed through a 10-year-old’s bedroom.

Mr Peña ran unsuccessfully in November against Miguel P Garcia, the long-time Democratic state representative. Mr Garcia won by 48 percentage points.

The New Mexico Republican Party condemned Mr Peña in a statement on Monday. “If Peña is found guilty, he must be prosecuted to the full extent of the law,” it said.