Sketch of possible arson suspect released
Reward offered for conviction in string of D.C.-area fires
From Larry Shaughnessy
CNN Washington Bureau
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The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms released a composite sketch Monday of a possible suspect in a series of Washington-area arson fires.
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WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The task force investigating 28 fires in the Washington area released a sketch Monday of a man who may be a suspect.
"I would say it's a major break in the case," said Kelly Long, a spokeswoman for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms.
The sketch, posted on the Web sites of the ATF and Prince George's County Fire Department, was developed from evidence gathered recently in the case, particularly an incident Sunday morning at a home on Anacostia Avenue in Northeast Washington.
In that incident, the occupant of the home saw someone on the front porch and, after scaring off the intruder, found a milk jug containing flammable liquid on the porch.
The ATF said Sunday's incident was "similar in nature" to a string of 28 fires that began March 5 and are under investigation by the Arson Task Force. Six of the fires have been conclusively linked; Sunday's incident has not.
Investigators have said the fires almost always happen in the early morning when people are asleep.
ATF spokesman Dan Woloszynski said the physical evidence obtained Sunday should help investigators.
"We're hopeful that this is possibly the break we need," Long said.
One person has been killed in the fires; several others have been injured.
Lou Edna Jones, an 86-year-old grandmother who was known as Mama Lou to friends and family and had lived in her home in northeast Washington for half a century, died in a fire June 5. Jones' 13-year-old granddaughter escaped the flames.
A $21,000 reward has been offered for information leading to an arrest and conviction in the case.
In July, police released a sketch of a man who may have witnessed one of the earlier fires. That person was never declared a suspect and has not been identified.
