The Virginian-Pilot
©
VIRGINIA BEACH
Whoever lit a fire at the Mount Trashmore Skate Park in August 2006 probably thought they got away with it.
No one was hurt, but the early-morning blaze nearly destroyed the park, amounting to $400,000 in damage, investigators said. They compiled a list of about 50 suspects, but never narrowed it down. Until now.
This summer, fire investigators Kevin Sweeney and Alana Cooper re-opened the case. But this time, they had some new information: online chat messages discussing the arson.
That led them to track down two men they think are responsible for setting the fire and obtain petitions charging them with arson, the Fire Department announced Tuesday.
The suspects were 16-year-old Green Run High School students at the time of the arson, according to Sweeney and a news release from the Fire Department. They now live in Richmond and King George, Sweeney said.
The Fire Department is not releasing the suspects' identities because they're being charged as juveniles. If found guilty, they could face prison time and a fine, and be ordered to repay the $400,000 in damage, Sweeney said.
Investigating fires can be tough, especially when the blaze destroys evidence, Sweeney said. But investigators caught a break in this case when police in La Vista, Neb., found the chat messages while investigating an unrelated crime and reported them, he said.
"Just in the course of a few days it was like, holy smokes, this all fits," he said. "I think they really thought that this was not going to resurface."
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Skate Park
HOLY COW!! These kids have NOT even been arrested yet and you people have already tried and convicted them! What happened to innocent UNTIL proven guilty? Geeze, I hope you people never serve on a jury; the defendant wouldn't stand a snowballs chance in hell!
Juveniles
Seriously, they are 5 years outta high school (around 20 years old minimum, and we are protecting their names? WTH!? They are adults now, lets give them the respect they gave the city! Spit out their names!
As a skater, I feel they
As a skater, I feel they should hang for this. Certain crimes cannot be pardoned. If they actually skate, they should be tortured first.
I hope your reading this
Nice Job All
Thanks to the VBFD and La Vista PD for their dedicated efforts and long hours in order to bring this case to closure. It takes quite a bit of evidence to ensure the correct arrest of an individual (especially 5-years later) and a case the prosecutor’s office can dedicate resources toward a conviction. If you can remember, this destruction had a huge impact to the community not only financially, but ruined a place for the kids to skate the afternoon away. This destruction weighed heavy against a decision not to rebuild but thankfully, a new skate park arose from the ashes. Great work all!
Totally agree
You can tell the Fire Investigators with the VBFD are on the job. Good work to all involved. This sends a message that you will not get away with arson in Va. Beach.
Big Brother watching
Go ahead and watch me all you want....the only problem is you're wasting time on me when you could be catching someone else doing something wrong. I have nothing to hide!!! The fact of the matter is I don't want some kid knowing what to do to not get caught committing a crime. I'm good with the authorities watching and reading comments and learning info that helps with solving crimes such as the one listed in this story. And in my opinion anyone worried about it should maybe look at changing the actions in their lives. Don't get mad if you get caught....deal with it!!!!
Be careful what you say or do...
...big brother really is watching. And in this digital age we live in, what we consider private, is not to someone with the right ears and eyes.
When the thought police are developed, but perhaps they already are...just capturing peoples thoughts in a different medium.
stupidity...
...is an admirable trait in a criminal.
Just bad parenting!!!
Juveniles Smoking, out past curfew, and sitting fires…Where are the parents?? Setting bad examples I guess. Well great job Virginia Beach Police.
Bad parenting?
4 years there were still 50 suspects? All of a sudden, great job VBPD? All they did was answer the phone and Nebraska dropped these guys in their laps! Juveniles have been out smoking, breakin' curfew and sitting (sic) fires (should have been setting fires)or just getting into trouble since time began. Parents should be held responsible for their little darlings when any damage they cause is discovered but they are not to blame. You must have been THE only teenager whose parents knew your whereabouts 24-7. Teenagers are influenced by their friends more than family. The only thing their parents know is what they want them to know.