FORT COLLINS, Colo. — Investigators in Fort Collins believe several arsons and criminal mischief incidents, including two where Pride flags were burned, are connected.
The incidents began in late October and occurred in the TimberVine neighborhood and Collins Aire Mobile Home Park, according to Fort Collins Police Services.
The first three incidents happened on Oct. 23. On that day, Fort Collins Police took a report about a Pride flag that had been burned and caught a chair cushion on fire. That same night, Poudre Fire Authority responded to a grass fire in the open space area near the TimberVine neighborhood.
Less than an hour later, Poudre Fire and deputies with the Larimer County Sheriff's Office were dispatched to the Collins Aire Mobile Home Park for a vehicle that was fully engulfed by fire. During that incident, first responders also located a burning trash can nearby.
The next day, on Oct. 24, there was a report of graffiti and an American flag that was burned in the TimberVine neighborhood. The home is near the open space where the grass fire had occurred the day before.
A photo of the graffiti is below.
On Nov. 12 there were four reports made from residents in the TimberVine neighborhood.
- A chair was lit on fire and spread to a home. This fire was put out by a resident.
- A small grass fire was lit in a canal and graffiti was found on a fence nearby.
- A Pride flag was burned and the home’s garage had graffiti on it.
- A scarecrow was burned and a chair was stolen from that home.
Investigators are working to determine if any of the crimes are bias-motivated.
TimberVine is within Fort Collins city limits and the Collins Aire Mobile Home Park is in unincorporated Larimer County. Investigators are working together as they believe the same people may be responsible.
Poudre Fire Authority fire investigators are also supporting law enforcement in the investigation.
Anyone with information about these incidents or possible suspect(s) should contact Fort Collins Police Detective Matt Schuh at 970-416-8043 or Larimer County Sheriff's Office Investigator Stephen Gates at 970-498-5169. People who wish to remain anonymous may also contact Crime Stoppers of Larimer County at 970-221-6868 or www.stopcriminals.org.
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