EAST LANSING, Mich. — The East Lansing Police Department (ELPD) has identified a suspect linked to an arson case that has been under investigation since January 2016.
On January 17, 2016 at 3:30 a.m., ELPD responded to a report of arson at a local fraternity house located at 131 Bogue St. ELPD discovered a wood bench on the front porch that been intentionally set on fire. A container of lighter fluid was sitting next to the bench and appeared to have been used to ignite the bench cushion.
The container of lighter fluid was seized as evidence and a print was lifted. ELPD was recently notified by the Michigan State Police Lab of a positive Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS) hit from the container. The suspect in this incident has been contacted and ELPD will be seeking charges through the city attorney's office for kindling of a fire and other associated charges.
ELPD vigorously investigates crimes of arson and asks community members to help with holding these individuals accountable for their criminal behavior by reporting anything that is witnessed. The City of East Lansing continues to offer reward money to anyone that comes forward with information that leads to criminal charges in arson cases. Tips can be made by calling 1-877-ELPD-TIP.
During the 2016 NCAA basketball tournament, extra ELPD patrols will be out looking to arrest anyone setting illegal fires in the community.