INCIDENT:   Arson

OCCURRED:   February 7, 2013 at approximately 9:00 PM  

LOCATION:   809 South Oak, Champaign

BRIEF DETAILS:

University of Illinois Police are seeking help with the identification of a suspect involved in an arson near the University of Illinois Oak Street Library Facility, located at 809 S. Oak Street in Champaign.
On Thursday, February 7, 2013, at approximately 9:00 PM, Champaign Fire Department responded to a dumpster fire located in the South parking lot of the Oak Street Library Facility.  Initially the cause of the fire was undetermined.  However, during the follow-up investigation by University of Illinois Police Detectives, video has been located showing an unknown offender lighting the dumpster on fire.  Prior to setting the fire, the offender can be seen parking his vehicle at the Sailfin Pet Store located at 720 South Neil Street, Champaign.

OFFENDER DESCRIPTION:

The offender is a larger build white male, approximately 35-45 years old, thinning dark hair which appears trimmed around the sides.  The offender was wearing a gray zip-up hooded sweat shirt, dark jeans, and black high top boots or shoes with light colored laces.  The offender appears to have a distinct walk.  Security video of the offender can be viewed at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M5cUskGuSyw&;feature=youtu.be

Information about the race or ethnicity of alleged offenders is provided only to aid detailed descriptions that include physical stature, clothing or unusual characteristics.  Racial descriptions do not, by themselves, offer a meaningful picture of an individual's appearance.

POLICE RESPONSE:

The University of Illinois Police Department continues to actively work to identify and apprehend the offender in this incident, and seek your help with identification of the offender.  Witnesses to this event or those with information are encouraged to contact the University of Illinois Police Department at 217-333-1216.

SAFETY INFORMATION:

Members of the campus community are strongly encouraged to follow these safety tips to decrease their potential for becoming a victim:

-Stay alert - call the police immediately to report suspicious activity and/or if this subject is observed.

-Trust your instincts - if it does not feel right, call for help.

-Avoid walking alone at night. Travel in groups when possible and always walk in well-lit, heavily traveled areas.

-Turn down your electronic devices. Excessive volume or use of electronic devices (iPods, PDAs, cell phones, etc.) can distract you from potential safety hazards.

-If you choose to consume alcohol, please drink moderately - remember your ability to respond is diminished by over-consumption of alcohol.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

The University of Illinois, Champaign and Urbana Police Departments are collaborating to provide CrimeReports, a national crime mapping service, with up-to-date crime information. This map includes Clery crimes (homicide, sexual assault, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, arson and motor vehicle theft), as well as other crimes that are of concern to community members.

You can access the campus district crime map and sign up for daily, weekly, or monthly email alerts at www.CrimeReports.com. Access to the crime map is available 24 hours a day through the website or through a CrimeReports iPhone application, available for free download in the Apple iTunes store.

Information also can be shared anonymously through Crimestoppers by calling 217-373-TIPS or online at:
http://www.champaigncountycrimestoppers.com/

Crimes in progress, reporting of suspicious individuals or any event requiring a police response should be reported to our regional dispatch center by calling 9-1-1.

Crime prevention information can be found on the University of Illinois Division of Public Safety website at http://www.publicsafety.illinois.edu/universitypolice/campussafety.html

Updates to crime alerts can also be found at http://www.publicsafety.illinois.edu

Information regarding our commitment to continually enhance campus safety can be found at http://www.publicsafety.illinois.edu/universitypolice/enhance.html

Jeffrey T. Christensen
Executive Director of Public Safety
Chief of Police
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign