Two men that Lincoln Police say were involved in a string of Molotov cocktail arsons have been arrested.
Lincoln Police say just before midnight on May 31st thorough roughly 3:30 AM on June 1st, there was a series of arsons in the Northeast area of Lincoln.
LPD says the places targeted were:
- Huntington Elementary School at 2900 N 46th – May 31st at 11:24 pm - window broken and explosive thrown inside building - $2,500 damage
- Lincoln Police Northeast Team Station at 4843 Huntington Ave – June 1st at 3:15 am - cruiser window broken and explosive thrown at cruiser - $2,300 damage
- Lincoln Northeast High School at 2635 N 63rd Street – June 1st at 3:25 am – window broken out and explosive thrown inside - $1,000 damage
Investigators say they reviewed security video from the crime scenes and observed a light colored Honda with a dark hood involved in each incident. They say the vehicle was later identified by investigators as belonging to 21 year old Tyler Belk. Investigators say they interviewed several witnesses throughout the course of their investigation and ultimately, it was determined that Belk was responsible for making the Molotov cocktails at his residence that night and identified the targets he was planning to hit with the explosives.
Police say Belk was identified as the driver of the vehicle and also the person responsible for throwing several of the Molotov cocktails and damaging windows. Another suspect, 23 year old Brandon Grady, was also identified as being responsible for throwing of the Molotov cocktails at Huntington Elementary School.
LPD say just after noon on Monday, investigators took Belk into custody and arrested him for three counts of Aid and Abet Arson. Grady was already at the jail on an unrelated charge and was also charged with one count of Aid and Abet Arson.
Police say the investigation is ongoing and anyone with information is encouraged to call Lincoln Police at 402-441-6000 or Crime Stoppers at 402-475-3600.
(Photo by Lincoln Police Department / Lancaster County Corrections)