$10,000 reward offered in search for arsonist

A reward of up to $10,000 is now being offered for the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for a string of 15 suspicious fires in Johnson County and the Lawrence area.

Three of the blazes were set locally.

Anyone with any information is encouraged to call the Olathe Fire Department’s Arson/Explosive Report Line at 1-913-971-5060.

The serial arsonist is suspected of setting fire to books last Monday at Watson Library at Kansas University, as well as fires Wednesday morning at 647 Country Club Terrace and 4900 Clinton Parkway.

The Kansas Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms is contributing $5,000, the City of Olathe $4,000, and the Kansas Arson Hotline $1,000 to the cause.

Investigators have received about 110 leads since last Thursday, but no arrests have been made.

Members of the arson task force include the Olathe Fire Marshall’s Office, the Olathe Police Department, the Kansas State Fire Marshal’s Office, the Kansas University Police Deparment, Lawrence Douglas County Fire & Medical, the Lenexa police and fire departments, the Overland Park police and fire departments and the Bureaud of Alcohol Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.


For more on this story, pick up a copy of Tuesday’s Journal-World.

These 15 fires, all since March 6, are thought to be the work of a serial arsonist:Olathe¢ 805 E. Santa Fe — Quick Cash¢ 18754 W. 115th Terrace — Home pending contract for sale¢ 1855 N. Ridgeview — Apartment complex clubhouse (rest room)¢ 19656 W. 105th St. — Home under construction¢ 16150 S. Bradley — Home under construction¢ 21347 W. 120th St. — Home under construction¢ 16100 W. 133rd St. — Brougham Senior Residences under construction¢ 11599 S. Ridgeview — Security Savings BankOverland Park¢ 137th and Rosehill — Apartment complex¢ 3613 W. 155th St. — Home under constructionLenexa¢ 98th and Woodland — Home under construction¢ 15525 W. 87th St. Parkway — Capitol Federal Savings and LoanLawrence¢ Watson Library, 1425 Jayhawk Boulevard¢ Dental office of Keith Jones, 647 Country Club Terrace¢ Clinton Parkway Nursery & Garden Store, 4900 Clinton ParkwaySource: Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives