MONROE, Mich. (WWJ) – Police in Monroe believe an arson caught on surveillance video early Tuesday morning may be related to a bomb threat made at the same building last week.
A suspect is seen throwing a rock through the window at Hassett Title Company in downtown Monroe and setting fire to the office around 6:30 a.m. Police officials say residents were sleeping in apartments above the business.
The video appears to show the suspect pouring some sort of flammable liquid on the flames, before fleeing the scene.
The fire was put out quickly and no one was injured, according to police. The office sustained moderate damage due to the fire and smoke, officials said.
It was the second “incendiary threat” to the business in a week, police officials said, and Tuesday’s fire may be related to a bomb threat a week prior.
Officials say a man put an envelope in the door at the Hassett Title building and claimed the contents of the envelope would kill – and if not, the bomb inside the building would.
Monroe police contacted the FBI, who assisted in an investigation and determined there was no bomb and the envelope did not contain a harmful substance.
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Detectives believe it is “highly probably” the suspect in the bomb threat is responsible for Tuesday’s fire.
Police officials said the “threats of violence being carried out are escalating in severity.
Authorities do not know the suspect’s identity, but are asking anyone who may have information about the threat or fire to contact the Monroe Police Detective Bureau. Detective Merkle can be reached at (734) 243-7517.
