Authorities in Detroit are seeking assistance from the public in identifying a suspect accused of arson, following a recent fire at a home undergoing renovations in Southwest Detroit. The Detroit Fire Investigation Division, a collaborative effort among the Detroit Police and Fire Departments, released a photo of a man wanted about the incident that occurred on Nov. 4, as reported by WWJ News Radio. The property, located in the 1900 block of 25th Street, was purchased by a resident as an investment, and the fire set the homeowner back significantly in both time and finances.
The suspect is described as a white or Hispanic male, captured on surveillance footage from a neighboring apartment complex. He was seen approaching the home dressed in a light-colored long-sleeved t-shirt, blue jeans, and sporting a baseball cap. In the video, the man covered his face with a t-shirt before fleeing the backyard, and shortly thereafter, the building was engulfed in flames. According to details shared by DetroitRewards.tv, there is a $500 reward for information that leads to the suspect's arrest.
Homeowner Tony Robinson, age 30, expressed his distress over the deliberate attack on his property. "Seeing that it wasn't a squatter and it was just somebody maliciously targeting my property, yeah that makes me upset," Robinson told WXYZ. Robinson purchased the house at a Wayne County tax auction with hopes of investing in the city he grew up in. The fire has left him contemplating taking on significant debt to not abandon his dream.
If anyone recognizes the suspect or has any pertinent information, they're urged to reach out to the Detroit Fire Investigation Division at 313-628-2900 or provide tips via detroitrewards.tv or by email at [email protected], including the case number 2411050154 in their communication.
