Tips lead to arrest in fire at Superstore

Tips from the public helped police make an arrest in connection with a suspicious fire at a Halifax grocery store late last month.

Kevin Tracey Shih, 52, was arrested without incident Saturday on Lamont Terrace in Dartmouth, Halifax Regional Police announced Monday.

Shih was held in custody and appeared in Halifax provincial court Monday to face charges of property mischief, arson causing damage to property and arson showing disregard for human life.

Prosecutor Rick Woodburn said the Crown was opposed to the Dartmouth man’s release and requested time to prepare for a bail hearing.

Judge Elizabeth Buckle scheduled a hearing for Friday and remanded Shih to the Central Nova Scotia Correctional Facility in Dartmouth.

The Superstore on Joseph Howe Drive was evacuated Oct. 27 at about 6 p.m. after staff discovered a small fire in a grocery aisle. Firefighters quickly extinguished the fire, which was determined to have been intentionally set.

Police released a description and photos of the suspect Friday and asked for the public’s help identifying him.

“Halifax Regional Police would like to thank the public for their assistance in this matter, as it was because of the tips received, that the suspect was able to be identified and ultimately arrested,” police said in a news release Monday.