Date: Wednesday, March 8, 2023

Files: 23-8086, 23-8407, 23-8437, 22-43510

Victoria, BC – Officers have arrested a person who is suspected to have caused a number of arsons after observing the person conduct an arson early this morning.

At approximately 1:50 am today, officers were conducting surveillance in the 2900-block of Cedar Hill Road when they observed an arson suspect enter a BC Transit bus shelter. Flames were observed coming from the shelter and the suspect exited the shelter and left the area on foot. Officers with the team extinguished the flames and took the suspect into custody.

Construction Site Targeted for Multiple Arsons | 23-8086, 23-8407

The suspect came to investigators’ attention after an arson at a construction site in the 1300-block of Hillside Avenue on Sunday, March 5, 2023. The suspect was captured on video lighting a fire at the site, damaging multiple portable toilets. On Tuesday, March 7, 2023, as second fire was set at the same construction site in the 1300-block of Hillside Avenue, damaging another portable toilet. This incident was also captured on video.

Officers identified the suspect and learned that they also had outstanding warrants for mischief.

Rental Moving Truck Arson Also Under Investigation | 23-8293

Officers are also investigating an arson that destroyed a rental truck in the 700-block of Topaz Avenue just after 11:20 pm on Monday  March 6, 2023. The vehicle was fully engulfed and Victoria Fire Department firefighters were working to extinguish the flames and keep them from spreading to a building the truck was parked next to when officers arrived. Victoria Fire Department firefighters were able to quell the flames and keep them from spreading to neighboring structures.

Officers are exploring whether these arsons are related.

The suspect was held for court and currently faces three recommended arson charges.

If you have any information about any of these incidents and have yet to speak with an officer, please call the VicPD Report Desk at (250) 995-7654 extension 1. To report what you know anonymously, please call Greater Victoria Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

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