Reward offered in Douglas County school arsons

The Douglas County Sheriff's Office is seeking information regarding four separate arson incidents that occurred recently at two elementary schools.

Secret Witness is offering a $500 reward for information.

The incidents were discovered at Minden and Gardnerville elementary schools the mornings of Aug. 18 and Aug. 19 by school custodians.

I"Evidence consisted of blackened scorch marks on backboards of handball courts at both schools, as well as an exterior wall of the main office building at Minden Elementary School," said sheriff's spokesman Sgt. Jim Halsey.

Deputies found broken glass bottles and wicks made from ripped cloth material.

No flammable liquid was evident, but Halsey said Monday investigators believe the suspects filled glass containers with flammable liquid, set the cloth wicks afire, and threw the liquid-filled glass bottles at the walls, similar to a Molotov cocktail.

"We believe it's kids messing around, not realizing the danger of what they're doing," Halsey said. "We just want kids to realize these things aren't toys. Maybe in this case it hit a block wall. What happens if it hits the asphalt and starts a fire, or the thing falls back on you and you get burned or cut?"

He said the incidents are under investigation by the Douglas County Sheriff's Office and East Fork Fire and Paramedic Districts.

Secret Witness is offering a $500 reward to anyone with information leading to the arrest and/or conviction of the suspect. The caller may remain anonymous.

Anyone with information is asked to call sheriff's Investigator Ed Garren at 782-9908, East Fork Arson Inspector Capt. Terry Taylor at 782-9861, or Secret Witness at 782-7463.