A serial arsonist that made a third Virginia strike in the Hybla Valley area of Fairfax County early last Thursday morning still defies identification and capture by the Regional Arson Task Force.
"We continue to investigate but we have no further information to announce at this time," said Kelly Long, a public information officer for the Task Force. "The Task Force continues to follow all leads."
Mark Brady, chief spokesperson, Prince Georges County Fire and EMS Department, the lead agency in the arson investigation, acknowledged, "This incident has been added to our arson investigation list. But there have been no further developments since it occurred."
Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department responded to a call at approximately 4:30 a.m., May 13, in the 3400 block of Beachcraft Drive. Upon arrival they discovered the remains of a set fire outside the single-family residence, according to a release issued by the Task Force.
"No one was injured and damage was minimal," they reported. "A neighbor, who had spotted the fire, extinguished it with a garden hose while emergency crews were responding." Those units were from Penn Daw, Mount Vernon, Woodlawn and Fort Belvoir stations according to Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department dispatch.
THE TASK FORCE has announced a $35,000 reward is being offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for these crimes. This incident brings to 38 the total number of arsons in the National Capital Area over the past 14 months.
The first occurred on March 8, 2003, in the District of Columbia. Thus far only three have occurred in Virginia, one in Alexandria, Nov. 16, 2003, a second in Fairfax County, Feb. 6, 2004, and this latest one.
At the time of the Alexandria fire on West Braddock Road, Task Force Leader, Chief Ronald D. Blackwell, Prince Georges County Fire and EMS Department, stated that it "fit all the profile" of the serial arsonist. Those were:
*Time of day, between midnight and 6 a.m.
*Location of the fire, outside the residence.
*Material used to start the fire, an ignitable fluid.
The Task Force, composed of multiple state, local and federal agencies from DC, Maryland, Alexandria, and Fairfax County, has established a tip line. It is 301-77-ARSON. Anyone with information is urged to contact the Task Force at that number.
INVESTIGATORS have been working with an ATF behavioral profiler who specializes in the study of arson and explosives, they acknowledged. Based on research, the Task Force believes the arsonist or arsonists may demonstrate some or all of the following traits and characteristics:
*Alcohol abuse.
*Reckless driving or unsafe practices at work.
*A criminal history.
*Shifting blame to others when things go wrong. Never admits to any fault.
*A perpetual liar.
*Lacks normal empathy or concern for the rights of others.
*Difficulty controlling and dealing with anger.
However, as pointed out by the Task Force, "This list of traits is not considered all-inclusive. The public should not discount a potential suspect because that individual does not display all the traits."