In one of my posts from last week I showed some photos of what we were calling a “suspicious fire”. Now we are calling it arson. And it looks like we are now seeing a trend in several other suspicious fires that could point to a series of arsons.
Arson is a difficult crime to solve. It’s not impossible. But it is difficult. It’s usually a solitary crime and much of the evidence is destroyed during the commission of the crime. Sometimes the motivation of the arsonist are not quite as clear cut as they are in other property crimes.
We need the public’s help with this crime. Here’s our press release:
EDEN PRAIRIE POLICE AND FIRE SEEKING INFORMATION ON ARSONIST
Four arson cases responsible for more than $1 million in damage to property
Eden Prairie � On May 8, 2004 at 2:21 a.m. Eden Prairie Police and Fire Departments responded to a structure fire at a construction site on Indigo Drive. The fire was called in by witnesses who observed smoke in the sky. Public safety officials arrived on the scene to find two town home units fully engulfed in flames. Damages to the structure, which is being built by Wooddale Builders, are estimated to be more than $1 million dollars.
On April 23, 2004 at 10:08 a.m. police and fire officials responded to 9254 Preston Place on the report of a suspicious fire in a home under construction. Manley Construction employees discovered smoke and fire damage in the home, which appeared to be caused by a fire that had self-extinguished. Damages were estimated at $3,000.
Two Orrin Thompson homes were victims of arson in December 2003. One home, 17982 Strawberry Court, suffered smoke and fire damage to multiple areas of the home. Damages were estimated to be less than $10,000. The second home, 9700 Geisler Road, was not damaged by fire, although evidence suggested that someone attempted to start a fire.
Investigations by the Eden Prairie Police and Fire Marshal have determined that all four of these incidents are due to arson. They have similar characteristics, including the location of the fires and the methods used to set them. All the incidents have occurred in southwest Eden Prairie in unoccupied homes under construction. No one has been injured in any of the fires.
Eden Prairie officials are looking into possible connections to similar incidents throughout the metro area. However, at this time there is no confirmation that the cases are related to other arson incidents in the Twin Cities.
Police are asking citizens to watch for suspicious activity, especially in areas where homes are under construction. If you witness suspicious activity in progress, call 911. You may also call the TIPLINE, 952-949-8477, to anonymously report suspicious activity or information on a suspect. TIPLINE messages are reviewed once every 24 hours, so situations requiring prompt attention must be directed to 911.
A reward of up to $5,000 is being offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person responsible for these arson incidents.
