$2,000 reward for any help finding Fresno cemetery arsonist
FRESNO, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) – A $2,000 reward for anyone who can help find a serial arsonist who has set several fires to trees at a local cemetery.
The Ararat Armenian Cemetery alone has had 20 cypress trees set on fire this year, fires have also been set along Veterans Liberty Cemetery and near Mountain View Cemetery as well.
All the cemeteries neighbor each other on a large plot of land along Belmont Avenue spanning over 160 acres. Each of the cemeteries has been the subject of arson since January of this year according to Fresno Fire officials.
‘Feel targeted’: Fresno Armenian cemetery director amidst arson fires
Fire officials say that approximately 30 trees have been damaged and that related dumpster fires and debris fires have also occurred.
Officials say they have had trouble looking over the large area with their limited resources and the considerable amount of foot traffic.
Fresno Police Chief Paco Balderrama says the police department will provide additional resources to help catch the arsonist after coming close on April 22.
“Officers noticed that there was a tree on fire, they responded quickly. We had about 15 officers on the perimeter and CHP assisted us with a police helicopter – unfortunately, we were not able to apprehend the suspect,” Balderrama said.
Police say at this time there is no indication that the fires are a targeted hate crime.
However, given that the Armenian cemetery has been attacked the most, police say they understand and acknowledge the importance of finding the culprit ahead of the anniversary of the Armenian genocide.
If you have any information contact the Fresno Police Department at (559) 621-7000.
