| Contact Information | Date |
|---|---|
| For Immediate Release Contact: John Campbell 434.220.9070 434.989.0665 |
Mar. 25, 2008 VDOF-08012 |
Suspected Arsonist Arrested in Bedford County;
Bloodhound Tracks Man to his Home
The Virginia Department of Forestry (VDOF) has arrested and charged a Bedford County man with two counts of woods arson. The 21-year-old from Lynch Station was charged with the Class 6 felonies after VDOF investigators used a bloodhound to track the suspect from the scene of an arson fire right to the man’s home.
Each felony count is punishable by up to five years in prison or, at the court’s discretion, up to a year in prison and/or a fine of not more than $2,500.
A VDOF forester responded to a wildland fire call Feb. 28, 2008 at 7 p.m. During the suppression effort, he spotted a footprint, called for the bloodhound team and stayed all night to ensure the crime scene did not get contaminated. The tracking bloodhound, handler and another forestry technician – both of whom are specially trained in fire origin and cause – arrived from far Southwest Virginia the morning of the 29th. They inspected the crime scene; familiarized the bloodhound with the footprint, then followed the dog to the front door of the suspect’s home. The suspect was interviewed and confessed to starting that fire and another fire that burned about ¼ of an acre of woods.
“This case is proof that training, patience and a little luck do payoff,” said Todd Kready, VDOF’s Bedford County forester. “That area of the county has experienced a number of suspicious fires over the past 12 months, and we’ve spent a lot of time investigating each and every one. It’s a good feeling to know that if this individual is convicted, he won’t be able to threaten the lives and property of other Bedford County residents.”
State Forester Carl Garrison said, “The VDOF law enforcement officers involved in this case are committed to protecting the citizens of Virginia. Their hard work, persistence and dedication led directly to this arrest in Bedford County.”
In addition to the Bedford County forestry technician, VDOF officials involved in the year-long probe include a handler from Lee County, his bloodhound, Roxie; forestry technicians from Carroll County, Rockbridge County and Mecklenburg County, and a handler from Mecklenburg County, along with his bloodhound, Summer.
-30-
The Virginia Department of Forestry protects and develops healthy, sustainable forest resources for Virginians. Headquartered in Charlottesville, there are Forestry staff members assigned to every county to provide service to citizens of the Commonwealth. VDOF is an equal opportunity provider.
With nearly 16 million acres of forest land and more than 184,000 Virginians employed in forestry, forest products and related industries, Virginia forests provide more than $29 Billion annually in benefits to the Commonwealth.
[an error occurred while processing this directive]