PRESCOTT VALLEY, AZ — Prescott Valley officials are investigating a string of recent fires and criminal damage incidents impacting a local high school and apartment construction site.
Millions of dollars worth of damage has been done at two locations within a week and the suspect, or suspects, have not been identified.
Authorities believe at least one person is connected to all of the incidents, they confirmed Thursday.
Prescott Valley police, the town's mayor, and Humboldt Unified Schools superintendent joined together early Thursday calling on the public to come forward if they have information connected to any of the incidents.
Officials announced that a $35,000 reward is being offered for any information that leads to the arrest of those responsible.
People with information can contact the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives by calling 888-ATF-TIPS, emailing ATFTips@atf.gov or submitting online and selecting ATF - Phoenix Field Division at the reporting agency. The community can also contact the Prescott Valley Police Department at 928-772-5666 or Yavapai County Silent Witness at 1-800-932-3232.
Here's what we know about each of the incidents that are under investigation:
Bradshaw Mountain High School - March 29 & 31
The first incident occurred on March 29 and March 31 at Bradshaw Mountain High School.
Police say an unknown person committed "high dollar criminal damage" totaling at least $60,000 in damage to the property both mornings between 1 a.m. and 3 a.m.
"The incident included extensive damage to the building and the running track," police say.
The person responsible was captured on surveillance video wearing black clothing, a mask, gloves, and boots. They also appeared to be wearing a headlamp and a "Go-Pro style camera," police say.
Legado apartment complex construction site - April 1
A destructive fire ripped through an apartment complex construction site early in the morning on April 1.
The fire broke out after 1 a.m. at the Legado complex site near Florentine Road and Main Street, causing the evacuation of nearby apartments and area road closures.
"The 685,000-square-foot building/parking lot structure that was under construction was (completely) engulfed in flames and is a complete loss," police say.
Police estimate the cost of the damage to be approximately $60 million.
Bradshaw Mountain High School - April 4
Prescott Valley Police Department said Thursday morning that "criminal activity" was under investigation at Bradshaw Mountain High School, days after tens of thousands of dollars worth of damage was done at the campus.
Police say the school had been “breached….and additional criminal damage was done.” Interior rooms were damaged and law enforcement teams were called in to clear the West Campus.
Bradshaw Mountain High School was closed on Thursday and Friday, April 4 and 5, due to the investigation.
The following message was posted on the school's website Thursday morning acknowledging the damage and also noting that part of the damage Thursday involved an electrical box fire:
A task force including the ATF is investigating the series of incidents.
Community members are asked to review any surveillance video they may have that could further the investigation. You can send and upload videos and photos to the Joint Law Enforcement Task Force here.
We'll stay on top of these investigations and bring you the latest as the information becomes available.
Do you have a tip about an incident impacting your community? Let us know by emailing share@abc15.com.
