Two charged after Edson arson spree
EDMONTON Residents in the Edson area are breathing a sigh of relief now that a man and a teen have been arrested after arsons at car dealerships, a pet store and a gas station, says the mayor.
The destruction that began in early December caused more than $10 million in damage and sparked alarm in the community.
The Edson Chrysler Dodge Jeep dealership was set alight Dec. 9, and an off-site vehicle was found burned the same day. KW Pets in Whitecourt was torched a day after
Christmas, resulting in the death of hundreds of small animals, and Edson Honda was torched on Dec. 30.
“It’s been a really stressful time for our community lots of uncertainty for the fires that have occurred, so we’re very happy to see the arrests,” said Edson Mayor Kevin Zahara on Wednesday. “There has been a concern from business owners and residents, whether or not they would be next.”
Both car dealerships are big employers in the town of 8,400.
“Being in a small, rural Alberta community, whenever a business such as that goes out of business for a while, it certainly has an impact,” Zahara said. “(It was) right before Christmas as well.”
Both car dealerships have since reopened.
On Feb. 23, an arsonist targeted a Petro Canada gas station in Niton Junction, east of Edson. RCMP Sgt.
Kevin Gaal said that fire was the “catalyst” in their investigation. Evidence collected at the scene, including video surveillance, helped police find who they believe are the culprits. The same vehicle appeared to be associated with each incident, and all the fires were started the same way — although police aren’t giving specifics on the methods.
Thomas James Berube, 37, and a 17-year-old boy face charges of arson, breaking and entering, theft, and injuring or killing animals. Both were remanded into custody.