Photos of arson suspects bring hope to fire investigators

Wednesday, May 31, 2000 | 9:35 a.m.

The photos released late Tuesday show the men spreading gasoline around a Reno medical office Saturday night and lighting a fire that caused more than $500,000 damage.

For authorities, the surveillance photos are the biggest break in a case that began on March 30 when the first of 12 arson fires occurred.

"These people did not appear anxious or threatened," Reno Fire Marshal Larry Farr said. "I was astonished at their nonchalant and cavalier attitude."

The U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms has joined the probe.

"We are very, very thrilled about getting these photos," Farr said. "We've been working nonstop trying to connect these fires and getting any evidence we can. This is a very big break in the case."

Farr said the arson appears to be related to 11 others set in the city, most at construction sites.

Similarities include the time the fires were set and the use of flammable liquids. Saturday's blaze, however, was the first in which the arsonists broke into an occupied building to set a fire.

"This may be an acceleration of their thrill-seeking behavior," Farr said.

The men in the photos are white, tall and in their late teens or early 20s. They were wearing black T-shirts and pants and white tennis shoes.

The logo on one shirt appears to be from the rock group Korn. The second suspect has very large feet, Farr said.