Torched Bellona Avenue Home Previously Burglarized
Luxury cars were stolen from the home in both incidents.
A home on Bellona Avenue that is being investigated as the scene of an arson was previously burglarized.
On March 11, 2006, jewelry, rugs, a BMW and other items were reported stolen from the home, located in the 7000 block, Baltimore County police said. The property was not recovered and no suspects were identified. Police eventually suspended the investigation.
Crews responded to the fire at the home around 8 a.m. Oct. 1, and discovered that a Porsche Cayenne and other items were stolen. Accelerants were found at the scene leading investigators to label the incident an arson.
And this wasn't the first fire on that block.
On July 17, a vacant house that was for sale next door was engulfed in flames. Police said they did not find accelerants at that address and do not believe there is a connection to last Monday's fire.
Tom Kiefaber
12:47 pm on Tuesday, October 9, 2012
This report raises lot's of questions and eyebrows as well. It's an instance where the Patch format seems too limited and even somewhat off kilter. The police and fire report tidbits trigger the cerebral smoke detector chirping away, but some actual investigative reporting is required to possibly link up compelling leads into an emerging "story", one that better informs us of what's taking place in the area and why.
Reporters in small publications over the years have broken major stories and advanced careers by following the bread crumb clues, wherever they lead. Time for the old-school, shoe-leather approach to be applied?
Amy
12:22 pm on Wednesday, October 10, 2012
Geez, it seems like no one can do anything lately without being criticized! While I agree that sometimes investigative reporters can "blow the lid off" of a story, many times they just contribute unnecessary speculation. In my opinion, there's nothing wrong with a news story that simply reports the facts.
Tom Kiefaber
2:19 pm on Wednesday, October 10, 2012
@Amy, I agree, yet isolated facts alone are notorious for how little they inform in our modern society. Study after study confirms what we see in today's world, that recitations of objective facts do little to impact an individual's belief system matrix, as those that trigger cognitive dissonance are generally ignored. Facts alone often do not change individuals or their circumstances in significant ways . Facts instead need to be presented in a cohesive context of some sort, offering a logical interpretation of their meaning and significance.