Montreal police announced Friday the arrest of a 59-year-old man suspected of being the author of a series of arsons that occurred in recent days in the city center. The 59-year-old was arrested red-handed, even as he was starting a fire.
In a press release, the Montreal Police Department (SPVM) specified that “five recent events” occurred in Ville-Marie between July 29 and July 1er August, would be linked to this man.
The latter is said to have set fire to waste containers and at least one vehicle, but everything indicates that he is not linked to organized crime.
The person concerned was arrested this Thursday, around 3:35 a.m., by patrol officers from neighbourhood station 20, thanks to “evidence” collected by the investigation of the SPVM’s Arson and Explosives Unit. At that time, the man was starting a fire in a waste container located behind a building on Crescent Street when he was arrested.
In the hours that followed, the suspect appeared before a judge at the Montreal courthouse. He now faces five counts of arson and property damage.
The investigation will continue “to determine whether the suspect arrested could be linked to other similar events,” police said.
Therefore, anyone who has information to share in connection with this case is invited to contact 911 or their local police station. For confidential treatment, the Info-Crime Montréal centre can be reached at 514-393-1133. A form can also be filled out via its website.