Donor adds another $10,000
Officers gathered to announce an increase in the reward.
/ Jim Kenyon
ITHACA -- In a joint news conference this morning in Ithaca, Police Chief Edward Vallely and Thompkins County Sheriff Peter Meskill say the reward leading to the arrest and conviction of an arsonist who attacked the home of a police officer has doubled.
Sheriff Meskill says a concerned citizen who wishes to remain anonymous contacted him and pledged an additional $10,000 dollars to the reward fund.
That reward fund now stands at $20,000.
The reward is being offered to anyone with information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons "committing or conspiring" to commit arson at the home of Ithaca Police Sergeant Bryan Bangs.
Bangs narrowly escaped the burning home on July 10th from a fire that has been determined to be arson. Click here to read about the volunteer cleanup that ensued after the fire.
The fire took place shortly after Officer Bangs had been cleared of any wrongdoing in the shooting death of drug suspect Shawn Greenwood.
Bangs is in an undisclosed location as police investigate the arson.
Vallely and Meskill referred all questions on the status of the investigation to the New York State Police. Vallely said, however, that they "consider the attack on Sergeant Bangs to be an attack on all police officers."
They urge anyone with information to contact the State Police at 607-347-4440.
