On October 22nd at approximately 4:53 a.m. police and fire department personnel responded to a fire at a city maintenance facility located in the 700 block of South Charles Street. City employees who were working on site saw a suspicious male subject walking inside the yard who was coming from an area where police vehicles are parked. As the employees attempted to contact the subject a police car erupted in flames. The subject then took off running. The employees called 911.
A total of four police department vehicles were damaged in the deliberately set fires: three police cars and one mobile precinct (an RV-style truck). There was some minor damage to one adjacent building. There were no injuries. Increased patrols will be conducted in and around all city facilities. This remains an active and on-going Seattle Police Department Arson investigation.
Anyone with information regarding this incident is urged to call either 911 or the Seattle Police Arson/Bomb Squad at 206-684-8980. Those wishing to remain anonymous are encouraged to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800 222-TIPS (8477) or send a text to CRIMES (274637). Your text message should include “TIP486” to ensure proper routing. If a tip leads to an arrest and the filing of charges, callers may qualify for a cash reward of up to $1000. Calls are taken 24 hours a day