ATF Offers $5K Reward In Rittnehouse Square Arson
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - Federal investigators are offering a reward for information leading to the arrest of a suspected arsonist they say struck a Rittenhouse Square restaurant last month.
Philadelphia's Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is offering $5,000 for information leading to the man they say purposely sparked a fire at Branzino restaurant on 17th Street, near Spruce Street.
Steve Bartholomew with the ATF says happened just before 9 a.m. on July 26th:
"Investigators uncovered video that showed an individual outside the location and later inside the location prior to the fire."
He sayss the popular Italian restaurant sustained about a half a million dollars in damages:
"The restaurant on the first floor, and apartments that were being developed above the restaurant."
He says authorities now have a picture of the man, and they need the public's help.
"A person who intentionally sets a fire is a dangerous person. We want this individual identified and arrested, and held accountable for the act of arson."
Anyone with information about the arson or the identity of the individual in the surveillance photos should call the ATF Hotline at 1-888-283-3473 or email: ATFTips@atf.gov.