ATLANTA — Atlanta Police allege that arson suspects reportedly tied to fires related to the future Atlanta Public Safety Training Center are involved in dozens of fires across state lines. APD Chief Darin Schierbaum announced at a Thursday news conference the reward to find the remaining suspects will also increase to $200,000.
Authorities also said that several arson suspects have already been arrested, but some are still on the run.
Schierbaum told news reporters the suspected arsons started last year in Georgia. They said that the same group was involved in reportedly setting police motorcycles, construction equipment and a youth center -- which is funded by the Atlanta Police Foundation -- on fire.
"So, when they attacked the youth center, they thought they were going after the Atlanta Police Foundation but at the end of the day some kids that were looking forward to going to that facility, kids that needed to go to that facility the next day, couldn't go and that's who was impacted," said the APD chief.
Those opposed to the training center call it "Cop City." A RICO indictment brought by Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr has charged more than 60 people for their involvement with the "Defend the Atlanta Forest" movement, though what level of organization -- if any -- that might exist between various factions of activists under this umbrella is not clear.
Schierbaum said the youth center was the first arson they believe the group was involved in around May 2022. At the news conference, they showed video of the alleged suspects.
Police then took news reporters down a timeline of fires they believed to be connected to the arsonists.
In November, an arson was reported at a concrete company in Gwinnett County, with an online outlet aligned with the "Stop Cop City" opposition movement claiming responsibility. In that case it was also unclear what ties, if any, the "Scenes from the Atlanta Forest" website has to the more publicly visible elements of the protest movement.
Police also allege three arsons earlier this year on McDonough Boulevard can be connected. Police said the construction equipment was not connected to the building of the training center.
Authorities also included the incident where Atlanta Police motorcycles were destroyed in July.
According to Schierbaum, the losses total to about $10 million.
Atlanta Fire Deputy Chief James McLemore also spoke at Thursday's news conference where he spoke to how the arson cases are impacting the city.
"It affects our business. We can suffer from additional costs that these businesses face. We've got to get a hold on it," said McLemore.
APD said the training center is still on track despite the attacks.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Stoppers Atlanta at 404-557-8477.