FINDLAY, Ohio — The state fire marshal and Findlay first responders presented checks to two residents of the city on Thursday to recognize them for the witness information they provided that helped lead to the conviction of a person in a 2022 arson case.
Nicholas Bishop received $4,000 and Joseph Cross received $1,500 on behalf of Ohio's Blue Ribbon Arson Committee, which sponsors a reward fund for people who provide information that helps arrest or convict arson suspects.
Bishop was driving in near a home on Bell Avenue on the morning of June 26, 2022, — Cross lived next door to it — when he saw smoke in the sky, according to the Ohio Department of Commerce.
Bishop then drove to a nearby residence and parked in the driveway when he saw more smoke. He then "saw an adult female and male carrying bags of personal items from inside the house and placing them inside a red SUV. After asking if they were okay, the individuals did not respond and then rapidly drove away, nearly striking Bishop’s vehicle. At that time, Bishop called 911 for help," ODC said in a press release.
Next door, Cross heard yelling and saw his neighbors putting items in the back of the SUV. He later positively identified both the female and male, according to ODC.
"It's just one of those things if you're a neighbor and you're sensing some things aren't right. Always keep an eye out. We don't just look out for ourselves, but we try to keep check on our neighborhood," Cross said Thursday at the award ceremony in Findlay.
The Findlay Fire Department at the scene found one fire "extending over the south side attached garage roof line, and a second smoldering fire in the yard near the west side of the residence."
Investigators were able to use Bishop and Cross' information to identify the female, Heather Gilles, and place her at the residence at the time of the fire.
The male, an adult, was not charged in connection to the case, according to the press release.
