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$15,000 Reward Offered For Help Catching Novato Arsonist

Novato (KCBS)— A $15,000 reward is now being offered by combined local agencies to help catch the arsonist who's set dozens of small, mostly brush fires in Novato since Saturday.

There were no new fires overnight, but federal investigators have been brought in anyway to investigate the string of arsons that have been tallied at 56 thus far.

KCBS' Doug Sovern Reports:

Novato Police Captain Jim Berg said the police and fire departments are running extra patrols, with assistance from CalFire and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

"Basically we have an individual who's terrorizing our community and it needs to stop," said Berg.

He added that the federal authorities have individuals trained in behavioral analysis and in burn patterns.

Authorities are said to be "expecting the unexpected", assuming the arsonist might change locations or methods. No one has been hurt in any of the fires.

(Copyright 2011 by CBS San Francisco. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

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