Investigators focus on two theories in arsons

By PATRICIA MEADE
VINDICATOR CRIME REPORTER
YOUNGSTOWN -- Whether for fun or profit, a firebug continues to target vacant North Side properties.
The fire department is pursuing dual theories and believes one or two men may be responsible for the series of arsons. Since July 2005, more than 40 empty structures, mostly houses, have been set ablaze and a few were targeted more than once.
Capt. Alvin Ware, head of the arson bureau, believes a pyromaniac may be setting the fires and then staying close by to watch the houses burn. The arsonist, he said, probably lives in a North Side neighborhood.
The second theory involves "scrapping," a term coined for the practice of stripping old houses of their precious metals such as copper that can be sold to scrap yards. Ware said some people are under the misconception that once a vacant house has burned, the contents are up for grabs.
Fire Chief John J. O'Neill Jr. said he's giving more weight to the pyromaniac theory because the scrapping has been sporadic.
Requesting help
O'Neill said he's going to request that the Ohio State Fire Marshals Office provide assistance. He said the city doesn't have the resources necessary to set up stakeouts.
"It certainly sounds like a serial arsonist is at work, which often happens in depressed areas with a lot of abandoned homes," said Robert Sharp, an assistant chief with Ohio State Fire Marshals office. "We deal with several a year -- they're tough to catch. Typically, they live in the neighborhood. They definitely enjoy setting and watching fires."
Sharp said his office -- as it does with any police or fire department that asks for assistance -- will step in with equipment and manpower for surveillance details on the North Side.
There doesn't seem to be a pattern to the setting of the fires. Records show most fires were set after 9 p.m., but several were ignited late morning or early afternoon.
One structure, a five-plex situated at Benita Avenue and Kensington Street, had fires set in separate apartments last July and August, Ware said. He doesn't think the motive is insurance -- most of the structures are abandoned and uninsured.
He pointed out that many of the properties were sold in bulk through negotiated tax lien sales. Bulk means good and bad properties are included in each sale.
Bulk buyers who can't collect delinquent taxes must tear the properties down, O'Neill said. Demolition costs $2,500 to $3,500 -- more if lead is found, he said.
O'Neill said investigators are suspicious because of the "disturbingly high" number of properties targeted for arson that were sold to out-of-state companies in bulk lien sales. He said, though, that it is a bit farfetched to think a buyer who realized he made a bad investment was able to come to town and find an arsonist.
Help from the public
Ware said "someone out there" has information about the fires, and he urges them to come forward. A $5,000 reward is being offered per arson. Tipsters should call (330) 782-0055.
"We need to get people to talk," Ware said. "We need to catch who is responsible."
Ware said city police assigned to the North Side have been "keeping an eye" out for suspicious activity, and Youngstown State University police have stepped up patrols in the targeted areas.
Ware and O'Neill said the North Side Citizens Coalition is also eager to solve the rash of arsons.
Mark C. Peyko, coalition board president, said the coalition had two houses -- at 44 Illinois Ave. and at 65 Indiana Ave. -- that were burned.
"We were going to renovate them like we've done with other homes," Peyko said. "Then we would decide as a board whether to rent or sell them."
Peyko said it's important to get the message out that information provided about the arsons will be kept confidential.
"People who are frightened will notice something -- it would scare me," Peyko said of the arsons. "The residents are the best eyes and ears."
meade@vindy.com