DENVER – Police arrested a 28-year-old woman Wednesday night for investigation on arson charges after an art piece was burned at Civic Center Park early Wednesday morning.
Amanda Marie Failla, 28, faces investigation on a second-degree arson charge. Police arrested her just before 8:30 p.m. Wednesday after seeing her near the park.
She was identified as a suspect after Denver parks, fire and police authorities reviewed surveillance video showing the Tree of Transformation being lit on fire around 2:15 a.m. Wednesday. The fire department said there was enough probable cause to obtain a warrant for Failla’s arrest.
Failla is listed as a transient on a probable cause statement for her arrest, which also says she’s a known drug user.
When investigators interviewed Failla, she denied setting the installation on fire “but stated she may have caused the fires as a result of throwing a cigarette butt in the trash,” according to the probable cause statement.
It also says that she told investigators “she just wanted to get a ticket or get arrested.”
“Every day we work with our city partners to ensure we provide the best services to our community.” Denver Fire Chief Eric Tade said in a statement. “We are happy our combined efforts allowed us to make an arrest in this fire.”
The Tree of Transformation is in the center of Civic Center Park and has a piano that people can play. It was installed in January.
Denver Fire say the investigation remains open despite Failla’s arrest.
