BPD seeking arsonist who torched police car

The Burnet Police Department is currently working with the State Fire Marshal's Office on an arson investigation which involves a marked BPD Patrol unit parked at the police department at 105 S. Rhomberg.

According to a press release sent on Wednesday, June 27, “video surveillance shows a slender suspect starting the fire, using what appears to be some type of accelerant,” at around 1 a.m. Wednesday morning. The suspect returns to the unit briefly, then leaves the scene. The fire burns for a few seconds before it self-extinguishes, leaving damage to the rear lift-hatch of the vehicle.

BPD Chief Paul Nelson said their K-9 unit collected samples the morning of Thursday, June 28, which will be sent to the state lab on the same date.

BPD is asking residents in the vicinity of the Police Department to review their home surveillance systems before and after 1 a.m. on June 27, to see if footage of the suspect may be acquired.

“The fire was definitely intentionally set,” Nelson said. “Ninety-nine percent of this community is outstanding and we know that they won't tolerate this either, so the more eyes we have out there, the better.”

Anyone with information that may assist in the investigation is asked to contact the Burnet Police Department at 512-756-6404 or Hill Country Crime Stoppers at 866-756-8477. Tips may also be anonymously submitted at hillcountrycrimestoppers.com.

“We will follow up on any tips that we can get and hopefully catch the suspect,” Nelson said. “We know this is a great community, so we are going to rely on the community to help solve this crime.”