The Gilbert Fire Department and Gilbert Police Department in consultation with ATF Criminal Profilers at the National Center for the Analysis of Violent Crime are seeking the public’s assistance in identifying the individual who intentionally set fire to the Union Pacific Railroad bridge located along the SRP canal south of Higley Rd and east of Gilbert Rd in Gilbert, on August 15, 2015 in the late evening hours.
Police believe that the fire was set due to frustration felt by an individual going through a difficult time period. Both prior to, and immediately after, this person would have been verbal about a grievance related to work or unhappiness with his surroundings, according to authorities.
Investigators believe the person was responding to a stressful event and decided to target the Union Pacific railroad track bridge. They believe the person responsible is likely a male who has a direct connection to either Union Pacific, or the immediate Gilbert area.
The person responsible may have exhibited unusual or suspicious behavior or may have been unaccounted for around the time the fire started, according to authorities. This behavior may have been exhibited by anger or intense frustration. Officials suspect that he could have been doing research on the use of accelerants or have prior training/experience. He may have localized or minor burns on his hands or face which he is unable to easily explain.
Based on evidence which has been recovered, as well as investigative leads developed to date, investigatos believe that the crime was done by someone acting alone. Law enforcement is asking the public to come foward regardless of how insignificant “you think your information might be,” beause the crime was “committed by someone within this community and could potentially have put the public or our fire service responders in harm’s way by this deliberate act.”
The reward has been increased up to $15,000 for information that leads to the arrest of this individual. Tipsters have the option to remain anonymous.
Please contact the Gilbert Fire Department or Police Department or Silent Witness at 480-WITNESS (948-6377) or 1-800-343-TIPS (8477)