DETROIT – Police are investigating a clear case of arson on Detroit’s east side.
It’s actually the third time a family has been targeted in less than a month.
May 24 is when the first incident occurred, where an unknown man torched a pickup truck in the middle of the night at a home on Moenart Street.
Nearly a week later, on May 30, the culprit came back to set fire to the home while Wilena Payne was inside with her daughter and four grandkids.
“I woke up, me and the kids to smelling smoke. We came outside. The side of the house was smoking. We initially thought it was an electrical fire,” said Payne.
The latest incident happened on July 4, when Payne’s new Jeep Renegade was set ablaze.
“This seemed like it was a real nice car. It was a 2018 Jeep Renegade. I just got it in September cause my birthday is in October. I had got myself a new car,” Payne said.
The biggest question right now: Who would do this and why?
Payne said she knows exactly who’s responsible after an ongoing conflict with someone who knows her daughter.
“The person we told them hasn’t been taken in for questioning or none of that,” Payne said.
Local 4 blurred the face of the person broadcasting this Facebook Live video because she’s yet to be charged.
But Payne says this person made it clear that she has no problem targeting innocent women and children.
“We had just went to the police station and filed another complaint before this even happened,” Payne said.
Detroit Fire Department’s Arson Division is handling the investigation alongside DPD, here’s a statement sent to Local 4.
“We can confirm two instances of arson at this location, and a third, more recent fire is still being assessed.
This is an active investigation, and anyone with information regarding who may be responsible is asked to call the Detroit Fire Investigation Division tip line at 313.628.2900 or email at Arsontips@detroitmi.gov - in any case, be assured you can remain anonymous.”
Detroit Fire Department
The Detroit Police Department stated that these are serious crimes. The department is investigating and plans to hold the individuals responsible to the fullest extent of the law.