Sylvania police up reward for Olander Park vandalism, arson suspects

A photo of a vandalism/arson suspect at Olander Park.

The destroyed concession stand near the swimming area at Olander Park in Sylvania Township.

A $5,000 reward is being offered for anyone who offers information that leads to an arrest or conviction of suspects involved in a series of break-ins and vandalism at Olander Park over the last two months, that included an arson incident there Monday.

Capt. Rick Schnoor of the City Sylvania Police Department issued a statement Tuesday requesting the community’s help in identifying the suspects who lit Olander Park’s concession shack on fire Monday about 3:00 a.m., destroying the building located on the west side of the lake.

Police also released photos of what they believe to be multiple suspects, who have scarves wrapped tight around their face and caps pulled down, making it difficult to identify them. The photos show one suspect holding a long bar with a large flame on the end.

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A photo of a vandalism/arson suspect at Olander Park.

Sylvania Township Fire Chief Jeffrey Kowalski said that the suspects used some type of fire accelerant to ignite the building, which was engulfed in flames once police and fire department arrived on the scene minutes later.

“It does appear that they had the intent to burn down a piece of the building,” Chief Kowalski said. The Ohio Fire Marshal had an arson dog scan the site for evidence, which was collected for sampling at the crime lab in Columbus. 

Over Memorial Day weekend, two suspects, who police believe could be responsible for Monday’s arson, broke into the concession shack, damaged the vending machines and shack, broke down a door to the maintenance building and damaged a kitchen door at Nederhouser Community Hall. The vandals also threw fire extinguishers through a large picture window at the hall, and smashed hanging baskets, police said.

Olander Park officials estimated damage over the Memorial Day weekend damage to be $2,500. The concession shack had an estimated value of $5,000. Several buildings were also vandalized on May 10.

Anyone with information related to this crimes is asked to contact the Sylvania Police Division at 419-885-8902 or the Ohio State Fire Marshal at 1-800-589-2728.

Contact Natalie Trusso Cafarello at: 419-206-0356 or ntrusso@theblade.com.