A mini crime-wave in south Jefferson County has seen five portable toilets set ablaze in area parks since late July. The most recent fire was set Oct. 16 at Marker Park on South Newland Street, where crime scene tape can still be seen hanging above scorched ground near the park’s tennis courts.
According to Jeffco Sheriff’s Department spokesman Michael Taplin, there have been some tips through Crime Stoppers, but no suspects have been identified. It’s unclear if the fires are acts of a single suspect or a group, and if they are related. All of the fires have been set at night. The first was set at Robert Easton Park on July 30. Since then, four others have followed, including two at Powderhorn park set just two weeks apart in September, a short distance away from the location of the first blaze.
The Jeffco Sheriff’s Twitter account urges anyone with information about the suspects or the crimes to call the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office tip line at 303-271-5612. Anonymous tips can be made by calling Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at 720-913-7867. Information leading to an arrest might bring a reward of up to $2,000.
