October 21, 2009

Student who called in Elliott fire arrested on suspicion of arson

Purdue police arrested Isaiah T. Peedin, 22, on suspicion of arson and perjury. After allegedly setting the fires in the basement of Elliott, Peedin alerted the Purdue police about the fires and the university's fire department was dispatched. Nine hundred students who were taking exams were evacuated for an hour. There were no injuries and damages were minor.

Later Peedin provided a description to police of a person who he said had been seen running from the fire.

"This incident is made even more serious by the fact that Peedin, a member of the Purdue Security Patrol, was on duty at the time and assigned to ensure the safety of those in the theater taking exams," said Purdue Police Chief John Cox.

The university began using its student safety patrol officers for building surveillance during exams at Elliott this fall. The patrols complement fire-security efforts by Purdue firefighters who also are on site for all scheduled performances in the theater.

The added measures were taken because Elliott was built in the 1940s before fire alarm systems were available. The building is on a top-priority list for such upgrades, and the alarm system will be installed before next fall semester.

Peedin, of Martinsville, Ind., is a sophomore in the College of Liberal Arts and has been employed by the Student Security Patrol for one year. The patrol, which is supervised and funded by the Purdue Police Department since 1987, currently has 28 members who enhance public safety services in and around campus through a number of programs. These include the Safe Walk Program, bi-weekly emergency telephone and lighting checks, parking enforcement, and traffic control at various concerts and sporting events. During foot patrols their main function is to report suspicious or criminal activity to the police.

"The actions of this lone student are not indicative of the hard working Purdue students who make up the program, "Cox said.

"The patrol has been an enormous help to our officers. These students go through considerable oral interviews, criminal history checks and training. They are not released to perform their duties until they have completed all of their training, which is conducted by Purdue police officers, as well as a student supervisor and student team leaders.

"An after-action review will be conducted, and we will examine all of the information from this case to determine if there are any changes needed in the Purdue Student Security Patrol program. "

Arson is a Class B felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison and a $10,000 fine. Perjury is Class D felony punishable by up to three years in prison and a $10,000 fine. Peedin was taken to the Tippecanoe County Jail and information will be forwarded to the county prosecutor.

Writer: Jeanne Norberg, 765-491-1460 (cell)

Source: John Cox, 765-494-8221, jkcox@purdue.edu

Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu

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