THOUSAND OAKS : New Reward Offered in Synagogue Fires

The Ventura County Crime Stoppers is offering a $1,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and prosecution in connection with a series of arson fires at a Thousand Oaks synagogue.

The reward is the third offered in response to three suspicious fires at Temple Adat Elohim since early March. The Thousand Oaks City Council has offered $5,000, and the Los Angeles Jewish Federation is offering $2,500.

Investigators are trying to determine whether a man arrested last week on suspicion of setting fire to a trash can about a mile from the temple might also have set the temple fires. Sheriff’s deputies said Monday that they have reached no conclusions, but the man remains in custody.

The most recent blaze occurred April 12 and caused an estimated $25,000 damage to a section of the roof, the sanctuary door and telephone lines.

On March 31, arson caused an estimated $8,000 in damage to the synagogue, and minor damage was caused March 11 when a door was set afire.

Margaret Travers, board member of Crime Stoppers, said the nonprofit group has offered $1,000 only once before. That led to the arrest of a man involved in eight bank robberies, she said.