Crime

14 Fires In 3-County Burglary And Arson Spree

PINE CITY, Minn. (WCCO) ― A $5,000 reward is being offered for information in a rash of Pine County arsons.

Vacant cabins around Big Pine Lake near Finlayson were set on fire Sunday morning. A sportsman's club was also set on fire. There were fires and burglaries in other counties too.

Investigators at the Pine County Sheriff's Office met with other law enforcement officials Monday and determined that the 14 arson fires and 2 burglaries are connected. They believe that the same people are responsible for going on a three-county overnight crime spree.

Those who live in or own cabins near the charred remains of some lake homes are on high alert knowing that arsonists are on the loose.

"Yes I am concerned, and so is the wife. The wife is really concerned," said one resident.

Roger Postal and his wife made a special trip from Columbia Heights on Monday to check on their cabin in Kanabec County.

"We really feel threatened because there's somebody that's burning down these cabins, instead of just ransacking them," said Postal.

Tom Klienman also came from the Twin Cities, only to find the home next to his cabin burned to the ground.

"I feel terrible for him. He just brought that mobile home in here sometime in the last year and a half, two years probably," said Kleinman.

The Pine County Sheriff's Office said more than one arsonist started their fiery rampage in Kanabec County late Saturday night. They then apparently broke into two Aitkin County homes before torching ten in Pine County.

"The flames were about, I would say, 30 to 40 feet high. It was almost gone when the fire department got here," said Dick Teele, a homeowner in Pine County.

"That's what was baffling to us in our meeting this morning," said Chief Deputy Steve Ovick. "The randomness. Why you'd burn one house, go to the next two, just burglarize them, and then, you know, light fires."

Cabin owners in the area said they've had trouble with break-ins in the past.

"My place has been robbed three times in the last six months," said Kleinman.

Now they worry they'll be the next arson victim.

"It's just plain maliciousness," he added.

The State Fire Marshal is also investigating what was used to start the fires, causing much more than $1 million in damage.

There are few leads on who is responsible. The only clues are the footprints in the snow, which enabled investigators to determine that there was more than one arsonist. They are hopeful the offer of reward money will encourage people to come forward with more information.

 

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