FORT COLLINS, Colo. (KDVR) — Fort Collins neighborhood members are on edge as a collection of arsons continues for months now, escalating in peril. FOX31 spoke with one of many newest victims now misplaced with out a automotive.
Within the TimberVine and Dry Creek communities of Fort Collins, those that moved to the realm for tranquility and security at the moment are overcome with worry. Photos shared with FOX31 seize a number of arson fires simply for the reason that new yr.
“I really feel the worry of him coming again and hurting extra folks,” a latest sufferer advised FOX31.
This latest sufferer is so afraid for her household’s security, she requested to stay nameless. She lately woke as much as her household’s truck on hearth whereas her youngsters had been asleep inside their dwelling.
“I believed it was the home that was burning, so I grabbed my youngsters and ran out,” the sufferer stated. “And as we ran out, we realized it was the automotive with all our financial savings in them. And my coronary heart dropped. I felt like my energy and my religion of continuous on this nation simply fell aside.”
Fort Collins Police Companies started investigating a collection of potential arson fires throughout northeast areas of the town in late October, and the prison mischief could have restarted, in accordance with the company.
Sequence of arsons underneath investigation in Fort Collins
The primary spat of incidents occurred within the TimberVine neighborhood and Collins Aire Cellular Dwelling Park, that are separate jurisdictions for legislation enforcement. However due to the similarity and proximity of the instances, Fort Collins police investigators and the Larimer County Sheriff’s Workplace started working collectively on the investigation. Poudre Fireplace Authority investigators are additionally supporting the investigation.
On Jan. 2, Fort Collins police stated they acquired:
- an advanced report of an American flag burned within the 2100 block of Lager Road
- a fireplace on the sidewalk and a Colorado flag burned within the 2100 block of Bock Road
- a automobile hearth that broken a home, graffiti on the storage door and graffiti on the roadway and on a automobile within the 400 block of Stout Road
- a ditch hearth to the east of the 300 block of Pint Road
All of those places are in the identical subdivision.
On Jan. 4, there was a case that concerned a automobile hearth that unfold to a different automobile parked subsequent to it and broken a home within the 300 block of Toronto Road, which can also be in the identical space.
Investigators are working to find out if any of those crimes are bias-motivated.
‘We don’t know when this man will strike subsequent’
Fort Collins Police Companies stated it has quite a few detectives and officers engaged on these instances and is working intently with space residents to apprehend a suspect.
“We wouldn’t have any suspect description that we’re in a position to share right now,” Fort Collins police advised FOX31. “Anybody with data concerning these instances is requested to contact our tipline that now we have devoted to those instances.”
The tipline will be reached at 970-416-2825. Individuals who want to stay nameless may additionally contact Crime Stoppers of Larimer County at (970) 221-6868 or crimestopperslarimer.org.
“My message to all people is to watch out, keep conscious, as a result of we don’t know when this man will strike subsequent,” the sufferer stated. “Clearly, he doesn’t care. There’s youngsters in the home. We don’t know what his subsequent transfer is and who he’s going to harm.”
Neighbors made a GoFundMe for this household to assist substitute their burned down truck they relied on to get to work and faculty.
Arsons, potential hate crimes, reported in late October
Right here is the total accounting of incidents from Fort Collins Police Companies.
On Oct. 23, 2023, Fort Collins police acquired a report of an LGBTQ Pleasure flag that was burned and caught a chair cushion on hearth. That night time, Poudre Fireplace responded to a grass hearth within the open house space close to the TimberVine neighborhood.
Lower than an hour later, Poudre Fireplace and the Larimer County Sheriff’s Workplace had been dispatched to the Collins Aire Cellular Dwelling Park for a automobile that was totally engulfed by hearth. Throughout this incident, first responders additionally situated a burning trash can close by.
On Oct. 24, 2023, within the TimberVine neighborhood, there was a report of graffiti and an American flag that was burned. This was at a house close to the open house the place the grass hearth had occurred the day past.
On Nov. 12, 2023, 4 studies had been made by residents within the TimberVine Neighborhood:
- A chair was lit on hearth and unfold to a residence, which a resident extinguished.
- A small grass hearth was lit in a canal and graffiti was discovered on a fence close by.
- One other Pleasure flag was burned and the house’s storage had graffiti on it.
- A scarecrow was burnt and a chair was stolen from that residence.
Fort Collins police first introduced the instances and sought neighborhood assist by way of a press launch on Nov. 15, 2023.
