Glendale, AZ - News

Updated Information from Glendale Fire Department on
Wal-Mart Arson Investigation and Connection to Recent Serial Shooter Arrests   

Glendale Fire officials hosted a news conference Friday afternoon to share with the public additional information regarding the recent arrests of two suspects in the Valley's serial shooting cases. Authorities late Thursday arrested Dale Hausner, 33, and Samuel Dieterman, 30, in Mesa.   

Those suspects have also been linked to two arsons at two Glendale Wal-Mart stores on June 19th. There were more than 300 people inside the Wal-Marts when the fires were intentionally set. The arsons were estimated to have caused $26 million in damage.

At the news conference, Glendale Fire Chief Mark Burdick revealed that it was Glendale Fire Investigators who received information that connected the Wal-Mart arsonists to a Valley shooting.   

"It's not unusual for an arsonist to exhibit violent behavior," said Chief Burdick.  

Glendale Fire Investigators gave the critical information to the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and it ended up becoming a key element in the case.  

"We had lots of pieces of the puzzle," Bill Newell, a special agent with the ATF, said during the news conference.  

"We're very, very confident that the two suspects in custody are our suspects in the arson investigation," he said.  

Chief Burdick credited the working relationship between the fire department's investigators and the ATF as being an example of joint public agencies working together to bring justice. He also praised the public for responding with tips and information after the Wal-Mart fires.  

"This arson investigation is an incredible example of when the public responds to a request for information, the system can work," Burdick said. "The public can play a valuable role in keeping our community safe."

Fast Facts on Arson from the National Fire Protection Association

• There were an estimated 68,800 intentional structure fires in the U.S. in 2002. These fires resulted in 630 civilian deaths, 2,030 civilian injuries and $1.9 billion in direct property damage.
• There were an estimated 62,300 intentional vehicle fires in the U.S. in 2002. These fires resulted in 100 civilian deaths, 120 civilian injuries and $380 million in direct property damage.
• For the ninth straight year, juvenile firesetters accounted for roughly half (at least 49 percent) or more of those arrested for arson. In 2003, 51 percent of arrestees were under 18, nearly 1/3 were under the age of 15, and 3 percent were under the age of 10, according to the FBI.
• According to FBI statistics, only 17 percent of 2003 arson offenses were cleared (solved) by arrest. Juvenile offenders accounted for the only arrestees for 41 percent of these clearances. An estimated 2 percent of intentional fires led to convictions.
• Intentional fires ranked first among the major causes in structure fire dollar loss between 1999 and 2002.

Source: NFPA's Intentional Fires and Arson, March 2005, by John R. Hall, Jr.