By Red Power Media, Staff A couple has been arrested in Albuquerque, New Mexico, after allegedly setting fire to a homeless Native American man in front of their children as a prank, US police have said. Joshua Benavidez and Irene Enriquez, both 31, were taken into custody on Wednesday, July 22, on suspicion of carrying out the July 11 attack in front of their two sons, aged 8 and 12, and 2-year-old daughter. “I just want to say I’m sorry to my family and to my children,” Enriquez told local television station KOB 4 as they were led away by polce.

According to officials, the couple pulled up next to the pavement beside a Native American man — who was sleeping curbside — and started throwing fireworks at him from their car which caused his clothing to catch fire.

As they drove away, the couple noticed the man’s pants had caught on fire and claimed that they attempted to extinguish the fire by pouring water on the man who was said to be unconscious at the time. However, police say that Benavidez told his partner to return to the vehicle and they fled the scene. A surveillance video released by Albuquerque New Mexico police showed the purple SUV belonging to Benavidez and, officials say, the couple changed the color of the vehicle to white after the brutal attack.

APD is looking for suspect(s) who threw fireworks/lit man on fire..seen driving purple SUV. Pls call 242-COPS w/ tips http://t.co/0N0rP6A8bb—

Albuquerque Police (@ABQPOLICE) July 21, 2015

While the couple told local media that this was a prank solely intended on “rattling” the man, they have been charged with aggravated battery with great bodily harm, tampering with evidence, and conspiracy. The children, who were in the back of the vehicle, revealed to police that the couple did throw the firework on the sleeping homeless man. Benavidez and Enriquez were also charged with child abuse and two counts of contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

According to officials, the Native American man is still in the intensive care unit at a New Mexico hospital.