May 26--The FBI is offering a $5,000 reward in a February arson fire at an Old Town horse stable that may be tied to "animal rights extremism."
The fire at the Noble Horse Theatre, 1410 N. Orleans St., early on Feb. 6 was set in two separate carriage storage areas, according to the FBI. No horses were injured.
"Graffiti typically associated with the animal rights extremism movement" was discovered, according to the FBI. It was spray painted on several walls of the building and included, "Save the horses" and "freedom."
In preliminary statements, police and fire officials said at the time that the fire appeared accidental, possibly electrical. But an investigation determined it was arson.
Jim Rogers, owner of Great Lakes Horse and Carriage, lost two carriages at the stable. Antique Coach and Carriage had 11 carriages damaged or destroyed, Rogers said.
"It doesn't surprise me," Rogers said about the arson ruling. "Electrical fires don't leave graffiti."
A suspicious fire in September 2012 damaged five carriages, officials said at the time. No horses were injured in that fire either.
Anyone with information on the arson can call police or the Chicago office of the FBI, 312-421-6700
