Ensley residents speak out on arson arrest - ABC 33/40 - Birmingham News, Weather, Sports

Ensley residents speak out on arson arrest

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By Candace Sweat - bio | email

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  • Friday, May 17 2013 11:17 PM EDT2013-05-18 03:17:33 GMT
    An inmate is on the loose in Etowah County.  The Sheriff's department says an inmate kitchen worker escaped the Etowah County Detention Center (ECDC) Friday morning.  Justin Wade Hopkins, 30, escaped from
    The Etowah County Sheriff's Office says an inmate kitchen worker escaped the Etowah County Detention Center Friday morning. 

There is an arrest in one of the arson cases in Ensley. The suspect is the same Birmingham police officer charged with two counts of arson in Warrior.

Curtis Thornton is in the Jefferson County Jail. But he faces charges for only one of the Ensley fires. Thornton remains on paid administrative leave. Birmingham police spokesperson, Sergeant Johnny Williams, tells ABC 3340 that there is a process that must be complete by internal affairs before any officer's employment status changes.

According to a spokesperson for Birmingham Police, there are ongoing investigations at several other locations. Curtis Thornton's latest arrest is associated with the fire at 1708 29th street. Neighbors say the news is a disappointment.

"It's a tragedy because the police are supposed to protect us," said resident Robert Poole.

Poole has lived in this house on ninth street for 28 years. He recalls the night the house next door was set fire.

"I was home at 3 in the morning. I was awakened. I came outside. I saw the police," he said.

He says he is shocked to find out that the suspect charged in the arson investigation is a police officer. 27 year old Curtis Thornton joined the Birmingham P.D. three years ago.

"Everyone thought it was somebody else. I can't say if he's guilty or not but since he's been caught there have not been anymore fires in the neighborhood," said Poole. 

Gerri Robinson is the Fairview Neighborhood Watch president. She says she hopes this signifies an end to the arsons.

"If he's responsible for all of them then we hope that they have the perpetrator. But if not, then we can't take anything for granted. We just want our residents to feel safe," said Robinson.

Poole says he still has faith in Birmingham police

"We just cant take it out on the police department but it's like a cancer. We got him out and the cancer might be removed," he said.

Birmingham Police Chief AC Roper released a statement earlier today.  It reads:

"We are disappointed the evidence has lead us to the wretched task of arresting someone we trusted to protect the lives and property of our citizens. This type of conduct makes it difficult for our professional and sworn personnel that provide tremendous services to our citizens. We will continue to conduct a thorough and deliberate investigation to bring the remaining investigations to a conclusion."

Robinson says she plans on organizing a community meeting to discuss the recent developments and get a feel for how residents are handling it.

Though Thornton is only charged in one Ensley fire, she hopes this signifies an end to the other investigations. As for the burned homes, she says she hopes new homes are built in their place.