Craig Daily Press

Craig — Tuesday marked the four-month anniversary of the Nov. 25, 2007, arson that burned the Country Mall and left an assortment of Craig businesses without a place of operation.

It also was significant for another reason: authorities announced a substantial reward awaits anyone with information leading to the arrest and conviction of anyone involved in the intentionally set blaze.

CrimeStoppers is seeking information that would lead to the “apprehension and conviction” of the person or persons responsible for the crime and offering a reward up to $1,000.

But, the potential financial boon for viable information doesn’t end there. The mall’s insurance company is offering an additional $10,000, the Craig Police Department reported.

Little remains of The Country Mall, located at Fourth and Ranney streets. The fire that destroyed the 22,048 square foot mall has been deemed one of the worst in the city’s nearly 100-year history.

Chief Walt Vanatta, of the Craig Police Department, said the investigation into the mall arson is ongoing. Because of this status, the police chief could not comment on aspects of the probe, including potential suspects.

If more than one caller provides information leading to an arrest and conviction, the reward money will be shared, the Police Department reported.

The arson isn’t the only crime worth money for information.

The Police Department also announced Tuesday that CrimeStoppers is offering a reward up to $1,000 for a vandalism at the Craig American Legion Post, formerly the Shadow Mountain Clubhouse, on Moffat County Road 7.

Graffiti was painted on several areas of the Post between March 20 and 24, the Moffat County Sheriff’s Office reported. The Sheriff’s Office reported letters — BMP, SUR, MCF — and numbers — 13 and 300 — were painted on the building.

The American Legion is contributing an additional $500 to the CrimeStoppers reward.

CrimeStoppers can be reached at 824-3535 and callers may remain anonymous.