DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. — DeKalb County police are working with arson investigators and school resource officers to determine if an arsonist is also responsible for a crime spree.
Police told Channel 2’s Liz Artz a series of arsons started with a fire at Oak Grove Elementary School on Oak Grove Road that was set just before midnight Saturday, Sept. 13.
Half a mile away another fire was started at Coralwood Elementary School.
The director of public safety for DeKalb County Schools, Donald Smith, told Artz there is evidence to suggest the same person started both fires and possibly had an accomplice.
"We don't know exactly how the fire was started, but we do have evidence placing an individual on the premise,” said Smith.
Police are determining whether the person who started the fire is also responsible for a series of break-ins at several nearby businesses off LaVista Road.
Channel 2 Action News spoke to Constantine Mihalis, owner of Beer Growler Nation.
“It's a little violating. We are mom-and-pop (shops), a bunch of independents,” said Mihalis.
Mihalis said his store’s surveillance system captured images of the culprits.
“A vehicle had done a couple of circles in the parking lot. A gentleman approached the door with a big rock and smashed in the front door. In less than two minutes, he took cash bags,” said Mihalis.
Several other businesses were also robbed, including Salon Pahl, The Taqueria, The Mediterranean and The Grove.
Investigators are asking anyone with information on these crimes to call DeKalb County police.
WSBTV
