$10,000 reward offered in burglary, arson investigation

A $10,000 reward is now being offered for information leading to the arrest of the individual involved in the breakin and fire at a Jasper residence that occurred on Feb. 21.

A Jasper family woke to a fire set by an intruder in their Dewey Street residence that Sunday morning.

According to police, they responded to a report of a male intruder at 1449 Dewey Street at about 4 a.m. The suspect allegedly took some items from the residence while the occupants were sleeping.

They woke up as he was leaving and found that he had used an accelerant to start a fire near a rear door to the residence.

The residents were able to extinguish the fire with minimal damage to the home.

The investigation has been ongoing with assistance from the Jasper Fire Department, Indiana State Fire Marshal, and the Indiana State Police Evidence Technicians.

A $5,000 reward has been offered by the International Association of Arson Investigators, Indiana Chapter No. 14 in cooperation with the Indiana State Fire Marshal and the Property Insurance Companies operating in Indiana for information leading to an arrest.

The Community Strike Force Against Crime is also offering a $5,000 matching award for

The arson hotline number is 1-800-382-4628. The Jasper Police Department number is 812-482-2255 and the anonymous tip line is 812-481-2677 (COPS).