Police Offer $10,000 Reward in Arson Case

The Clayton Police Department, hit with two more suspicious fires, is offering a reward of at least $10,000 for help in solving a series of suspected arsons that has destroyed six homes in recent months.

And, the total may grow soon.

Police Chief Glen Allen said the Governor's office may add another $5,000.

Already, a 13-year-old Clayton youth has been charged with Breaking & Entering and Burning of a Building Under Construction, both felonies, in connection with the April 5 early morning fire that destroyed a local day care center. The youth, whose name was not released, is still in custody.

The other fires all involved homes under construction---two on Cameo Court last October and one of them again last December, two on Rolling Meadows in January and two more May 2 on Skygrove Drive. Police believe all the home fires are related "because they have a lot of similarities."

"We've got an active investigation going, and we could use some information from the public to assist us," said Chief Allen. "We're hoping that maybe a large sum of money might prompt someone to come forward. No matter how insignificant someone might think their information might be, it could be useful in fitting together the pieces of this puzzle."

The large reward is available for information resulting in an arrest and conviction in the case.

Clayton police and fire officials are being assisted by the State Bureau of Investigation and the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms.

The Chief said investigators have logged more than a thousand hours on the case since the first suspicious fire and plan to continue their efforts "until we solve these cases--all of them."

"There is a growing concern, of course, from the public," the Chief told the Town Council at its Monday evening meeting. "There have been no injuries so far, but the fires are getting closer and closer to occupied homes, which poses a danger."

The April 5 fire destroyed the 14,000-sq.ft Building Blocks Child Care and Development Center which was under construction on Hawkesburg Drive near the new Powhatan Elementary School. The blaze attracted firefighters from Clayton, Wilson's Mills and Garner.

Police are asking residents to report any suspicious activity by calling the Department at 919-553-4611 or anonymously on the CrimeStoppers hotline at 919-359-8479.

Recently, CrimeStoppers helped police solve a vandalism case that delayed construction of the new Clayton Community Center, which had its Grand Opening in April.