Police report four counts of arson
Four reports of arson were reported in a three-day time span on Utah State University’s campus.
Police responded to a report of a burning cardboard box in the middle of the shuttle turnaround on the west side of the field house on Sept. 28 at 1:56 a.m. Damage was limited to the surrounding grass where the box was placed, according to the police report.
Nearly one-half hour later, at 2:37 a.m. police were notified of a fire in a dumpster at the Bear River Activity and Skill Center located at 809 N. 800 East. The Logan City Fire Department extinguished the fire, but were unable to determine the exact cause of the fire. The dumpster, valued at $400 was damaged beyond use.
Officers discovered a fire in a dumpster at the north end of the stadium parking lot on Sept. 30 at 1:37 a.m.. The fire department again responded and was able to extinguish the fire with minimal damage to the dumpster.
Only 23 minutes later, at 2 a.m. police responded to another dumpster fire, this one on the west side of the HPER building. Personnel at the scene believed an accelerant was used due to the damage done to the dumpster which will need to be replaced at a value of $400. A witness in the area saw a small, single cab pickup truck in the area prior to the fire.
Police are still investigating an arson to a Cache County Sheriff’s Department vehicle and an arson on the west side of town which occurred on Sept. 25. It is unknown if the incidents are related.
Steve Milne, lieutenant of USU Police Department said arson is not very common at all in Logan or at USU.
“They are few and far between,” he said. “We would like to curtail this before it goes to something serious.”
Law enforcement officials are concerned with the trend taking place, according to the police report.
“We would like the public’s help to be watchful and find out what’s going on,” Milne said.
Ken Peterson, director of USU Risk Management Services, said the USU insurance policy is a $1,000 deductible. The dumpsters, each of which costs $400 need to be replaced. Thus, insurance will only cover $200.
Anyone with information concerning these incidents are asked to contact the USU Police at 797-1939 or the Logan City Police at 716-9300.
Logan City Primary Election results announced