ATF Announces Joint Reward for Information Leading to Arson Suspect

PHILADELPHIA – The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Philadelphia Field Division, the Philadelphia Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #5 and the Philadelphia Firefighter’s and Paramedic’s Union, Local 22 have partnered and announced a combined reward of up to $15,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person(s) responsible for the attempted arson of several city-owned and privately owned vehicles, which were parked at an underground parking garage, located at 65th Street and Woodland Avenue in Philadelphia.

On August 9, 2017, at approximately 5:30 a.m., members from the ATF Philadelphia Arson Task Force responded to the Philadelphia Police Department’s 12th District and Philadelphia Fire Engine 40 Firehouse, for the report of an attempted arson at an underground parking garage, located directly below the Police District and Firehouse. Task Force members determined that ignitable liquids from four plastic containers had been deliberately poured throughout the parking lot and around a number of both city and privately owned vehicles with the intention of setting them ablaze.  Attempts to ignite the flammable liquids were unsuccessful and no injuries were reported.

The ATF Arson Task Force, Philadelphia Police Department and the Philadelphia Fire Marshal’s Office are working jointly to identify the individual(s) responsible.

“This attempted arson of these vehicles located underneath a city-owned building is a serious and dangerous act that potentially threatened the safety of the employees of that building.  ATF and our partners from the Philadelphia Police and Fire Departments will use every available resource to identify and apprehend this perpetrator,” said ATF Special Agent in Charge Sam Rabadi. “We are asking the public to provide any information that would lead investigators to the person responsible for this attempted arson.”

A copy of the video taken from a surveillance camera located in the area of the entrance to the parking garage shows an image of an unidentified male approaching the garage at approximately 4:17 a.m. A short time after, the unidentified male is seen approaching the garage, pushing a baby stroller wearing a sheet over his head, which drops for a brief second (see pictures below).  Please visit the Philadelphia Police Departments YouTube channel to view the video