Police release video of arson suspect linked to Justice Institute investigation
Police are asking for the public’s help in identifying a man who can be clearly seen in a surveillance video pouring a liquid from a jerry can into a West Vancouver house and setting it alight.
The arson, which occurred Jan. 12, 2012 at approximately 2: 40 a. m., is linked to an ongoing Justice InstituteICBC probe involving targeted arsons and drive- by shootings, RCMP Sgt. Peter Thiessen said in a news release.
In the video, a man wearing a lightcoloured baseball cap and a twotoned jacket pours liquid from a jerry can in several places around the door of the house and on the ground in front of it. He then picks up a lightcoloured duffel bag and sets the liquid alight. The area goes up in flames immediately.
“The video is quite good quality, so we are hopeful someone will recognize this male suspect through the combination of slim build, jacket, ball cap, duffel bag and light coloured belt,” Thiessen said in the news release.
The fire was quickly extinguished by the West Vancouver fire department and damage was contained to the front of the residence, Thiessen said. No one was injured.
Police are asking anyone with information regarding the identity of the man shown in the video to call 604598- 4326 or by email at arsoninfo@rcmp- grc.gc.ca
The Justice Institute- ICBC investigation, led by the RCMP, was announced last September after a number of arsons and drive- by shootings of homes and vehicles throughout the Lower Mainland.
The investigation revealed a link to an ICBC employee who allegedly accessed the personal information of 65 individuals.
Thiessen said earlier this month that a resident of the West Vancouver home was one of those 65 people.
While investigators have identified a number of suspects, no arrests have been made, Thiessen said. RCMP indicated some victims were either current or former staff or students of the Justice Institute, while others were only loosely linked to the school.
The Justice Institute, a post- secondary institution based in New Westminster, provides instruction in areas such as public safety, justice and social services.
For example, paramedics, sheriffs and municipal police officers receive their training there.
About 30,000 students a year take Justice Institute courses at seven campuses around the province, including in Vancouver, Maple Ridge, Chilliwack and Victoria.