Authorities have increased the reward for information leading to the capture of those responsible for setting fire to two southwest Atlanta homes — including one belonging to a police officer.
Both arson attacks took place on Betsy Avenue, Atlanta police spokesman Carlos Campos said. The first occurred Jan. 15 while the second took place June 26 at the new home of an Atlanta officer, authorities said.
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Detectives believe both attacks are related, but are unsure how many people were involved, police said.
In the second attack, someone used a rock to break through the officer’s kitchen window and threw what investigators described as a Molotov cocktail into the home. The resulting fire scorched much of her kitchen.
“Due to the serious nature of these attacks — particularly upon a sworn law enforcement officer — a $23,000 reward is now offered for anyone with information leading to an arrest and indictment of the responsible parties,” Campos said.
Ken Allen, a retired detective and representative for the Atlanta Police Union, said he believes the officer was targeted because of her profession.
“It’s a very tragic situation,” he said previously. “You're at an emotional time, going through making the purchase of your home, getting ready to move in to be a part of it, and the next thing you know, you've got people in that neighborhood torching you because of what you do for a living.”
Atlanta police, Atlanta fire and the Fulton County District Attorney’s Office have teamed up to investigate the intentionally-set blazes, authorities announced at a joint new conference Tuesday afternoon.
Anyone with information about the fires is asked to contact Crime Stoppers of Greater Atlanta at 404-577-8477.
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