The Richmond Hills explosion has turned into a criminal investigation
Authorities call Richmond Hill explosion a homicide case, seek details on white van
Richmond Hill explosion press conference: Marion County prosecutor Terry Curry explains how the Richmond Hills explosion has turned into a criminal investigation at a press conference Monday, Nov. 19, 2012. Joe Vitti / The Star
The investigation into the Nov. 10 explosion that killed two people and damaged dozens of homes in the Richmond Hills subdivision is now a criminal homicide investigation that includes a hunt for a white van seen in the neighborhood before the blast, authorities announced tonight.
“At this time we’re here to inform you that we’re turning this into a criminal homicide investigation,” Gary Coons, chief of the Indianapolis Department of Public Safety’s Homeland Security division, told the media at a press conference.
Coons and Marion County Prosecutor Terry Curry did not take questions.
While the fire investigation has been progressing, there has been a parallel investigation, not solely focusing on the cause of the explosion but focusing on individuals who may have been responsible once accidental causes were eliminated. That investigation has consisted of numerous interviews with various individuals as well as execution of a number of search warrants and is being conducted jointly by the IMPD and the MCPO.
Based upon those interviews and results of those search warrants, that investigation is now considered an active criminal homicide investigation.
However, Curry said investigators are looking for tips, especially about a white van that was seen in the area before the explosion.
Officials also announced two rewards are being offered — one for $1,000 from Crime Stoppers of Central Indiana and $10,000 from ATF – for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the blast.
The announcement comes just over a week after the deadly blast, which damaged 81 of the 125 homes in the subdivision and flattened five more.
Read full story at http://www.indystar.com/article/20121119/NEWS/121119040/
