May 5, 2008 - Shreveport Arson Arrests Up as U.S. Fire Administration Announces Arson Awareness Week for 2008

Arson Investigations Increase

As the U.S. Fire Administration kicks off its Arson Awareness Week this week, Shreveport Fire Department arson investigations have resulted in an increase number of arrests for the first part of 2008. The following is information on those arrests:

§ On Friday, April 11, 2008, Shreveport Fire and Police Department investigators responded to Fair Park High School to investigate an incident of discharging fireworks in the school. The school administration along with a School Resource Officer developed suspects from interviewing faculty members and students. Fire Investigator Fred Sanders interviewed three witnesses who identified two juveniles as individuals of involvement. An explosives k-9 was used to sniff items collected from one of the juveniles. Based upon witnesses statements and evidence one juvenile was arrested and charged with RS 51:651.1 "Possession, sale or use of certain fireworks prohibited" and RS 51:654 "Unlawful discharge of fireworks." The other juvenile was arrested and charged with RS:654 Unlawful discharge of fireworks".

§ Fire Investigator Chris Robinson was called to a fire in the laundry room at Job Corps, located at 2815 Lillian Street on April 11, 2008. The fire was started inside of a washing machine. On Monday April 14, 2008 the staff identified a possible suspect. The possible suspect and a concerned adult came to the Fire Investigation Office at 1700 Snow Street and after being read his juvenile rights he made a full confession to starting the fire. The fire was started by a 16-year old juvenile. He was charged with violating R.S. 14:51 Aggravated Arson. He was booked into the Juvenile Justice Center.

§ On April 10, 2008, Fire Investigator arrested Kevin Hashieder, 17 for simple arson. This arrest came as a result from an investigation of a fire which occurred at 5204 Monkhouse Drive on April 7, 2008. Hashieder was booked into city jail

§ On April 7, 2008, Fire Investigator Rodney Murray arrested Richard Parrish, 41 for aggravated arson. This arrest came as a result from an investigation of a residential fire which occurred at 7614 Lanny Lane on March 3, 2008. The ATF also assisted in this investigation. Parrish was booked into city jail.

Arson Awareness Week is promoted by the United States Fire Administration and the International Association of Arson Investigators (IAAI).  Also partnering with the USFA and the IAAI this year are the Fire Safe Children and Families Program and the National Volunteer Fire Council.
 
The major goal of Arson Awareness Week is to create a national awareness and understanding of the arson-related problem in the United States by encouraging communities to get involved in the dissemination of arson awareness information by creating a simple, identifiable, and unifying message.