UPPD hopeful in DKE arson investigation

University Police are "cautiously optimistic" that they will find the man suspected of setting fire to the Delta Kappa Epsilon fraternity house early Sunday morning, Det. Commander Tom King said yesterday. King, who supervises University Police's squad of eight investigators, said police believe the suspect broke into the house at 307 S. 39th Street and set the fire as a "diversion" in order to rob the house. A wallet and a compact disc player are believed to be the only items stolen. No one was injured in the incident, though about 30 brothers were forced to evacuate the chapter house. Brothers said they were awakened at around 5:45 a.m. by smoke and fire alarms. At least three of them saw the suspect running through the house yelling, "There's a fire!" King said University Police, who are investigating the incident along with the Philadelphia Police Department and the Fire Marshal's Office, spent yesterday interviewing DKE brothers and other potential witnesses. Descriptions of the alleged arsonist are sketchy since brothers were asleep or groggy during the fire and were more concerned about getting everyone out of the house than finding out who the man was. At least three brothers saw the suspect. DKE Vice President and College senior Keith Crivello said he saw the man enter his bedroom yelling that there was a fire before allegedly stealing Crivello's wallet from atop his dresser. Crivello -- who said his credit card company notified him that someone attempted to use his card yesterday -- described the suspect as a man in his mid-30s, with average height and "a very thin face." Police have not yet shown DKE brothers any sketches or photographs of potential suspects because they don't want to risk polluting "what memory [the brothers] have" of him, King said. The one-alarm fire left the house with little permanent damage, though some of the furniture in the house's common room was destroyed and yesterday burn marks remained on the carpet. The first floor, where the fire originated, has been mostly cleaned up. The cost of the damage, which has not yet been determined, will likely be paid for by the fraternity's insurance, Crivello said.

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