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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
City of Duluth - Police Department
Mike Ceynowa, Chief of Police
2030 North Arlington Avenue • Duluth, Minnesota 55811 • www.duluthmn.gov
2030 North Arlington Avenue • Duluth, Minnesota 55811 • www.duluthmn.gov
For more information contact:
Public Information Officer, Mattie Hjelseth at (218) 730-5434 or mhjelseth@duluthmn.gov
Public Information Officer, Mattie Hjelseth at (218) 730-5434 or mhjelseth@duluthmn.gov
DATE: 4/11/2012
SUBJECT: Formal Charges Requested for Kozy Arson Suspect
BY: DPD Public Information Officer Jim Hansen (218) 390-2232
NATURE OF INCIDENT: Formal Charges Requested for Kozy Arson Suspect
CASE NO.: 12059000
INCIDENT DATE: 4/6/2012
INCIDENT TIME: 7:58PM
INCIDENT LOCATION: 100 block East First Street
SUBJECT: Formal Charges Requested for Kozy Arson Suspect
BY: DPD Public Information Officer Jim Hansen (218) 390-2232
NATURE OF INCIDENT: Formal Charges Requested for Kozy Arson Suspect
CASE NO.: 12059000
INCIDENT DATE: 4/6/2012
INCIDENT TIME: 7:58PM
INCIDENT LOCATION: 100 block East First Street
On Friday, April 6th, 2012 at 7:58PM the Duluth Fire Department and Duluth Police Department responded to a fire reported at the condemned and abandoned Kozy complex in the 100 block of East 1st Street. Flames were seen coming from the basement area, specifically the laundry room.
Duluth firefighters responded and quickly extinguished the fire before it spread elsewhere. The Duluth Fire Marshals Office determined the fire to be suspicious, as there were no ignition or heat sources within the laundry room. The power to the main Kozy complex had been disconnected since a previous fire in 2010. The annex portion of the Kozy complex had power to it.
Witnesses saw a male near the area of the Kozy just before the fire. This was confirmed by images captured on a surveillance camera. The suspect was positively identified and is a 55 year old, male resident of Duluth.
Duluth Police Arson Investigator Todd Kuusisto subsequently interviewed the suspect who said he remembers being at the Kozy and admits to making entry. He said he had no intention on burning the Kozy and believes the fire started accidentally.
This investigation has been forwarded to the St Louis County Attorneys Office for review. Formal charges have been requested for 2nd Degree Arson and 3rd Degree Burglary.
The suspect is not in custody and has not been charged with any crime yet, pending review by the St Louis County Attorneys Office.