Chicago police and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are searching for 19 persons of interest connected to arsons in the city during unrest that erupted following days of protests.
The departments on Tuesday sought help from the public in identifying those people who they believe "could advance the arson investigations of several Chicago businesses and vehicles that were set ablaze between May 30 and June 3."
The new information is part of an investigation aimed at identifying the persons responsible for 53 arsons that occurred in Chicago last month.
"Investigators combed through countless hours of surveillance video to narrow down these persons of interest," Chicago Police Supt. David Brown said in a statement. "We now need the public's help to identify these individuals so we can seek justice for the business owners and members of our communities who were affected by these arson cases."
Already, one man is facing federal charges in connection with setting a CPD vehicle on fire.
Timothy O’Donnell is being charged with “maliciously damaging, by means of fire, a vehicle used in interstate commerce,” according to the criminal complaint filed in federal court on June 2. Authorities allege that O’Donnell walked up to a Chicago police vehicle in the 200 block of North State Street on Saturday, lit an object on fire, and placed it into the gas tank of the vehicle.
O'Donnell was allegedly wearing a "Joker" mask at the time, but police said they were able to identify him as a suspect by a tattoo on his neck reading “PRETTY."
Anyone with information on the identities or whereabouts of the remaining individuals, or if those who may have additional pictures or videos, are being asked to contact CPD at (312) 745-6233 or email ATFTips@atf.gov.
