October 7, 2003
The Boundary County Sheriffs Office, the Idaho State Fire Marshals and the FBI are investigating a suspicious incident in Naples that may have been a hate crime, and they’re asking the public’s help.
Sheriff’s deputies responded to a possible burglary that, upon investigation, turned out to be an arson-caused fire.
According to investigators the fire appears to have been started with a liquid accelerant in the living room of the home of Scott and Barbara Zamitalo residence on County Road 8. The Zamitalo’s had been out of town and returned home to discover significant fire damage to the interior of their home. The Red Cross has assisted the family with housing as the investigation continues.
In addition to sheriff’s deputies, members of the Naples Volunteer Fire Department and the City of Bonners Ferry Fire Department responded to the scene, and later three fire investigators from the State Fire Marshal’s office and a canine arson detection team from the Kootenai County Fire Department were brought in.
The Sheriffs Office said that the reason for suspecting that this incident was a hate crime was due to the fact that investigators found a cross in the front yard with a nightgown draped over it and racial slurs painted on a barn near the home. Because it may have involved civil rights, the FBI was also called in to assist with the investigation.
Oddly, a stainless double-door refrigerator was removed from the home before it was burned and another refrigerator put in its place … and the food transferred from one refrigerator to the other. Also, fire damage to the door of the Naples Fire Hall was reported the same day the home fire was discovered and investigators feel the two incidents may be related.
Investigators are asking that anyone who may have seen suspicious activity or have information on these incidents call the Boundary County Sheriffs Office at (208) 267-3151.