Detroit law enforcement is on the hunt for suspects linked to several arson incidents across the city's west side. The Detroit Police Department is requesting the public's assistance to track down two men responsible for attempting to burn down a home in February, as well as a separate individual believed to be connected to another house fire.
According to The Detroit News, the first arson incident unfolded on February 12 at around 5:30 a.m. in the 8100 block of Coyle Street. Surveillance footage released this week shows two men setting fire to the porch of a residence before fleeing the scene. The fire extinguished itself and, fortunately, no injuries were reported despite two individuals being inside the home at the time of the attack.
In a separate but chillingly similar incident, Detroit police are seeking information about a person of interest whose actions were captured on February 21 at around 11 p.m. in the 1500 block of Kendall Street. ClickOnDetroit reports that a man was seen pouring an accelerant on a residential porch and then setting it alight. The flames were later extinguished by the Detroit Fire Department and no injuries were reported.
Adding an a layer of concern for the community, a third case was reported by WWJ Newsradio 950, involving a similar tactic of intimidation and destruction. This time, suspects used a Molotov cocktail in an attempt to set a home ablaze, also on Coyle Street. The incident, which occurred on the same day as the aforementioned porch fire, saw two men hurling the incendiary device at a home with two people inside, before running away from the scene.
These string of arson attempts have left residents on edge, and authorities are urging anyone with information to come forward. The Detroit Police Department's Arson Unit can be reached at 313-596-2940, and anonymous tips can be submitted to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-SPEAK-UP or online at DetroitRewards.tv.
