March 9, 2001

PRESS RELEASE

To: Newsroom

For Immediate Release

Contact: Brian A. Crawford, Public Information Officer

Phone: 673-6652, cell: 455-2609, page: 675-2137

Fire Dog Leads Investigators to Arrest of Arson Suspect

The Shreveport Fire Department’s best kept secret, "Jack," the accelerant sniffing dog, has helped fire investigators to make an arrest for a March 6 arson fire at 6125 Willard Street. Jack alerted fire investigators that a petroleum accelerant had been used to start the fire and subsequently found residue of the product in a suspect’s vehicle. Based on that evidence, handler and Fire Investigator Fred Sanders was able to narrow his investigation to a single suspect: the owner of the car. Following an interview today by Sanders, 26-year-old Brian Johnson of Shreveport was arrested and taken into custody on aggravated arson charges.

The night of the fire, shortly after midnight, firefighters were called to the Caddo Height’s residence for the report of a fire to the back of the structure. Firefighters quickly controlled the small blaze, with the home sustained only minor damage. Earlier that same night, firefighters were called out to 6120 Willard Street for the report of another fire. That fire started at Johnson’s girlfriend’s house. He is not a suspect, although fire investigators are questioning a suspect and hope to make an arrest next week.

If convicted of aggravated arson, Johnson faces a maximum of 20 years in jail and a substantial fine. Johnson faces aggravated rather than simple arson charges because people were in the home at the time of the incident. The law specifying that if there is a potential loss or harm of life, than the charge shall be aggravated. This is a much more stringent law with stiffer penalties for those found guilty.

Jack will be retiring from the Fire Department this summer with a replacement coming in the next few months.

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