Arson victim offers reward for info

By MARGIE TRAX PAGE - Staff Writer - mtrax@starbeacon.com
Star Beacon

August 29, 2008 12:24 am

— 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).