Date: Thursday, January 26, 2023

File: 22-2419

Victoria, BC –  A suspect has been arrested as VicPD Major Crime Unit (MCU) detectives continue to investigate an arson to a residence last week.

At approximately 2:45 p.m. on Friday, January 20, officers were notified by Victoria Fire Department firefighters that they were at the scene of a suspicious house fire in the 1900-block of Richardson Street. The home was fully engulfed in flames when officers arrived. Despite the best efforts of the Victoria Fire Department, the home was extensively damaged. Luckily, no one was home at the time of the fire. The fire is being investigated as an arson.

VicPD officers then received a call from officers with the Oak Bay Police Department, who reported that the suspect had attended their offices. VicPD officers arrived, arrested the suspect and transported them to VicPD cells. The suspect was then transported to hospital for a mental health assessment. The suspect was held in custody pending court.

This file remains under investigation. If you have surveillance footage from the area in the 1900-block of Richardson Street from the afternoon of Friday, January 20, or information about this incident and have yet to speak with officers, please call the VicPD Report Desk at (250) 995-7654.

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