Detroit police are asking for the public's help after releasing surveillance video Thursday that they say shows a man tied to a suspected arson on the city's west side. The fire broke out the evening of May 12, in the 1800 block of Eason Street. Firefighters got to the scene quickly, knocked down the flames, and no injuries were reported.
Investigators say the video shows a man walking up to the rear of the house carrying a bag, then taking off once the fire starts. The suspect is described as a man roughly 40 to 50 years old, between 5 feet 8 inches and 6 feet 3 inches tall, with short hair, wearing a blue jacket and brown pants, according to ClickOnDetroit.
The case is listed on the City of Detroit's RewardsTV page, which notes that the Detroit Fire Investigation Division, a joint police-fire task force, is seeking help identifying the person of interest. The city listing confirms the May 12 date and notes a $1,000 reward for information that leads to an arrest, as outlined by Detroit Rewards TV. The RewardsTV entry also states that investigators were able to obtain video of the incident.
How to tip
Anyone with information can call the Detroit Police Arson Unit at (313) 596-2940 or the Arson Unit tip line at (313) 628-2900, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-SPEAK-UP, email [email protected], or send an anonymous tip through the city's RewardsTV portal. ClickOnDetroit lists the same contact details alongside the surveillance clip released by investigators.
Why investigators are pushing the video
Arson has long been a recurring problem in Detroit, and investigators say these cases often hinge on community tips and camera footage. The Detroit Crime Commission has helped fund and coordinate reward offers that encourage residents to speak up in arson and other violent cases, and local officials say the RewardsTV program pulls those offers into a single place for the public, as detailed by the Detroit Crime Commission.
Police are urging anyone who recognizes the man in the video not to confront him, but instead to contact investigators through the listed tip lines or the online form. Tips can be submitted anonymously and may qualify for the $1,000 reward.
