Suspect in arson of Thompson Block building likely left the state, authorities say
Authorities say a suspect accused of setting fire to the Thompson Block building in Ypsilanti's Depot Town last fall has likely fled the state.
Ypsilanti Fire Chief Jon Ichesco said he received an anonymous tip that the suspect, Jacob Robert-Andrew Popiolek, 21, is now in Arizona.
Jacob Robert-Andrew Popiolek
Popiolek, whose last known address was in Ypsilanti, was charged in April with arson to real property, a felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison.
Ichesco said local law enforcement officials have limited resources in pursuing Popiolek beyond state borders, but he is exploring how the International Association of Arson Investigators could assist in the investigation.
“Bad people have done this for years,” Ichesco said. “They flee and elude and hide out and use a number of names - anything not to get caught. We just have to keep looking at it before it goes cold and keep trying to stir something up.”
Officials believe several people were trespassing in the Thompson Block on Sept. 23 when an early morning blaze gutted the historic structure’s interior. Authorities say they were drinking and smoking when the fire was sparked. So far, Popiolek is the only suspect charged with arson.
Developer Stewart Beal had begun renovation work on the building prior to the fire. A disagreement between Beal and the city over renovation plans since the incident has led to court-ordered facilitation.
Popiolek is described as white, 6 feet 3 inches tall, 160 pounds, with brown hair and eyes. Ichesco said the Michigan Arson Prevention Committee is offering a $5,000 reward leading to Popiolek’s arrest and conviction.
Anyone with any information is asked to call the MAPC hotline at 800-44-ARSON or Ypsilanti Police Det. Jason Cyrbok at 734-482-9872.
Tom Perkins is a freelance writer for AnnArbor.com. Reach the news desk at news@annarbor.com or 734-623-2530.
Comments
jjc155
Thu, Aug 19, 2010 : 8:05 a.m.
mick, he fled prior to being charged, he has yet to be arrested on the felony warrant.
Mick52
Thu, Aug 19, 2010 : 12:10 a.m.
Why was the suspect out of jail? For such a large fire, I would think his bond should have been very high. For felons who flee a state, a local agency can request a federal fugitive warrant from the FBI, who will bring him back.
Tom Perkins
Wed, Aug 18, 2010 : 9:57 p.m.
Cash and CountyKate, I had seen workers in the building prior to Friday on several occasions. Whether the shoring is out of River Street within the promised two weeks remains to be seen. Tom
Steve Pierce
Wed, Aug 18, 2010 : 9:06 p.m.
Actually before Arizona the suspect was in Las Vegas (we found his update status on his Facebook page). We called police to report what we found and were told they had already seen the Facebook page. Cheers! - Steve
Cash
Wed, Aug 18, 2010 : 5:39 p.m.
dading, I saw them there on Friday also...workers carrying small buckets inside the ruins. But after the article they have not been there.
dading dont delete me bro
Wed, Aug 18, 2010 : 4:09 p.m.
@craig, i said the same thing, but mine got 'gigged'. i personally saw workers in there last friday, 8/13. i know it was friday, because it was friday the 13th and i was thinking that I wouldn't be in there working on that day...
Craig Lounsbury
Wed, Aug 18, 2010 : 3:59 p.m.
"Ypsilanti Fire Chief Jon Ichesco said he received an anonymous tip that the suspect, Jacob Robert-Andrew Popiolek, 21, is now in Arizona." That seems pretty "unsubstantiated allegations, rumors" like to me.
CountyKate
Wed, Aug 18, 2010 : 3:32 p.m.
Cash, if you're right, I'd like to know if annarbor.com got duped into providing Beal with a photo op. Lord, I wish this would go away!
Cash
Wed, Aug 18, 2010 : 3:28 p.m.
And best of all? I have been by the site multiple times this week and never saw a worker. Didn't the article Monday say work was beginning to remove the chain link fence, etc?
Ignatz
Wed, Aug 18, 2010 : 2:53 p.m.
Didn't I see that pictue in Ken Burn's The Civil War?
Lokalisierung
Wed, Aug 18, 2010 : 2:16 p.m.
Running isn't gunna make it any easier dude.
jcj
Wed, Aug 18, 2010 : 2:13 p.m.
d_a2 I think A2.com is right in not publishing unsubstantiated allegations. The next set of unsubstantiated allegations may be against you. Just because your information appears to have been correct in retrospect does nothing to prove the policy is wrong. Did you give your information to the police? I hope so.
d_a2
Wed, Aug 18, 2010 : 12:15 p.m.
AnnArbor.comStaff. I made a comment stating he was in Arizona in one of the original posts having heard it from a friend and you guys removed it like you do with everything else. Maybe you should let some of your readers comments stand, you guys might get breaking news for a change!!! otherwise keep up the good work. It's nice being able to find out what happens in the Ypsi/Ann Arbor area.