Published August 29, 2008 12:24 am - Dan Becker’s hand trembles slightly when he talks about arson, his blue eyes focused on a snapshot of his charred recreational vehicle.
Arson victim offers reward for info
By MARGIE TRAX PAGE - Staff Writer - mtrax@starbeacon.com Star Beacon
GENEVA-ON-THE-LAKE — Dan Becker’s hand trembles slightly when he talks about arson, his blue eyes focused on a snapshot of his charred recreational vehicle.
“This bothers me,” he said. “Six months after the fire, it bothers me that someone would do something like this.”
Becker of Struthers was in Florida in February when he received the news that his RV, parked at the Indian Creek Campground, had been set on fire. The fire, which then-village fire chief Jim Bartlett determined was arson, happened Feb. 8 in a secluded part of the campground. Pictures show nothing was left of the RV but the charred chassis, the deep snow black from ashes, soot and the boots of firefighters. The fire also consumed Becker’s storage shed.
Now Becker is putting his money where his RV once was, offering a $2,500 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons involved in the arson.
“The money is coming from my own pocket,” Becker said. “When something like this happens to you, you have a personal feeling about it. You take it to heart. I want to know who is responsible for this.”
Becker has since replaced his RV, but the underinsured property left plenty of out-of-pocket expenses, he said.
He isn’t the only victim of campground thieves and vandals, Village Police Chief Tim Bruckman said.
The campground has had several burglaries, including some on the day of the fire, and the theft of a golf cart in the last year. Property owners have reported 18 house trailer and storage shed break-ins in July and August, Indian Creek Campground manager Ed Andrus said.
To report information on the arson, call Bruckman (440 466-8196) or Village Fire Chief Tim Mills (440 466-4408).
CLERICAL Collections $12-15/hr Customer Service $10-15/hr Office Asst $10-1...>MORE
NURSING - LPN Full-time position in a 20 bed residential facility serving the MR/DD population. Apply in person: The Gables, ...>MORE
DRIVERS WANTED DEDICATED ROUTES • Consistent Home Time • $1,100 per wk./avg. • Health + 401k Class-A-...>MORE
Dispatcher Needed in a fast paced busy environment. Must be available for various shifts. Apply within City Taxicab, 1753 West ...>MORE
Direct Care Staff Residential Treatment Center Hiring part time direct care staff. primarily evenings & weekends. Must be able to pass bac...>MORE
ASHTABULA AREA CITY SCHOOLS BUSINESS OFFICE
CUSTODIAN, LAKESIDE HIGH SCHOOL 2nd Shift, 2nd Floor, 2:00PM - 10:00PM ...>MORE
MEDICAL DELIVERY DRIVER NEEDED Seeley Medical, a respiratory services company, has a full-time opening for a medical delivery driver to setup home resp...>MORE
QUALITY CONTROL Earn up to $100 a day. Evaluate retail stores. Training provided. No exp req. Call 877-218-6203....>MORE
PRODUCTION - FIBERGLASS Production - Fiberglass Must be able to transfer shift with short notice Recent verifiable fiberglass exp...>MORE