Arrest Made in Kennewick Radio Arson Fire – Crime Stopper Tips Helped!

Last November, you may recall the fire that destroyed the transmitter building of a Kennewick radio station, knocking it and others off the air for several weeks.

Kennewick police have now made an arrest in connection with the fire that occurred near Edison and Canal November 14th, 2014.

Dale T. LaGrande of Finley was taken into custody and is facing 2nd. Degree felony arson charges.

The late night fire gutted the building on North Cleveland St., destroying the transmitter for AM1340 KTCR Radio, as well as knocking a local Christian station off the air.  It also damaged the relay unit that sent the signal from Classic Rock Eagle 106.5 to it's tower on Jump Off Joe hill.  The tower sits in a field just North of the Kamiakin High School parking lot.

After a $10,000 reward was posted on Tri-Cities Crime Stoppers website, several callers told police to look at LaGrande.  Authorities said he had been previously charged with vandalism at the transmitter site.  After an extensive investigation involving the Washington State Crime lab and DNA,  LaGrande was found to be the suspect.

Authorities thank the public and those who came forward with tips that helped lead to the apprehension of the suspect. The first person who provided viable information about LaGrande WILL RECEIVE the $10K bonus.

Thanks Tri-Cities, for helping with the apprehension of this suspect!  Although those stations are part of our competition, none of us in broadcasting want to see others knocked off the air by such a senseless act of stupidity and vandalism.