Richmond Hill Business Targeted by Arsonists 3 Times in Just One Week |
York Regional Police are searching for three suspects after the same business was allegedly targeted with gasoline, stolen vehicles and deliberately set fires on Aug. 19, 21 and 26. |
A Richmond Hill business was targeted in three suspected arson attacks in the span of just one week, according to York Regional Police.
The commercial property, located in a plaza near Leslie Street and East Wilmot Street, was targeted on Aug. 19, 21 and 26. Fortunately, the business was unoccupied during all three incidents and no injuries were reported.
The first incident happened around 5:15 a.m. on Aug. 19. Police say two suspects arrived in a black Honda Accord. The passenger allegedly smashed the business's front door and entered carrying a red jerry can.
Moments later, the suspect was seen running from the business before an explosion and flames followed. The pair fled in the Honda, which police later determined had been stolen in Toronto.
Just two days later, another vehicle arrived at the same plaza around 5:20 a.m. According to police, a passenger approached the same business with a red jerry can, poured gasoline near the entrance and set it on fire. That vehicle, a dark-coloured SUV, had also reportedly been stolen in Toronto.
Then, around 3:15 a.m. on Aug. 26, the business was targeted for a third time. Police say a black SUV arrived carrying three suspects. Two passengers allegedly smashed a front window, entered the business with jerry cans and started another fire before fleeing. Investigators later determined the SUV was displaying licence plates stolen from a vehicle in Ajax.
In all three incidents, police say the fires burned out on their own.
York Regional Police are now looking for three suspects and asking anyone with information to contact investigators at 1-866-876-5423, ext. 7241.
The allegations have not been proven in court. |
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York Regional Police really need to get these people before they try it a fourth time.
That urgency is very real, which is why York Regional Police are actively seeking tips, anyone with information is encouraged to call 1-866-876-5423, ext. 7241.
If you recognize a black Honda Accord or dark SUV being driven around that area early morning please just call it in. Better safe than sorry.
Wonder what kind of business it is. Not that it matters really, nobody deserves this.
The fires burned out on their own all three times. Lucky. Very lucky.
I drive past that plaza every morning for work. Had no idea any of this was happening. Scary stuff.
5 am both times for the first two. Whoever is doing this knows the area and knows when to show up.
Karen SloaneGood point. That 5am window is deliberate, quiet streets, no foot traffic. They definitely scoped the place out beforehand.
The early-morning timing, around 5:15 a.m. For the first and 5:20 a.m. For the second, is a detail investigators will certainly be paying close attention to as they build their case.
Stolen plates from Ajax, stolen cars from Toronto. These guys were going out of their way to cover their tracks.
Greg O.It shows a lot of planning. Whoever organized this put real effort into making sure nothing traced back to them directly.
Hope the business owner is okay. That kind of stress must be overwhelming, dealing with this three times.
It really is an enormous amount of stress, and the fact that all three incidents happened within just one week makes it all the more difficult to process.
Patricia W.Seriously. Three times in a week is just relentless. I really hope they have somewhere else to stay in the meantime and aren't dealing with this alone.
A red jerry can twice. Same business. Same time of morning. Someone is sending a message for sure.
A red jerry can twice in a row and nobody caught these people yet? Come on.
mel_tRight? A bright red jerry can is pretty hard to miss on camera footage. Hopefully the investigators have something to work with by now.
The red jerry can is indeed a striking detail across multiple incidents, and police are asking anyone who may have seen something in the area to come forward with information.
Glad nobody was hurt but three times and they still haven't caught anyone? Come on York cops.
Both vehicles stolen from Toronto, plates stolen from Ajax. These guys came prepared. This wasn't random.
That plaza on Leslie and Wilmot is so close to residential streets. This could have been way worse.
Lucky the fires burned out on their own each time. Could have been so much worse for the whole plaza.
Tony FerraraNo kidding. With jerry cans full of gasoline involved all three times, the whole strip could have gone up. The other businesses got very lucky.
It truly could have been catastrophic, the fact that the fires burned out on their own each time was a fortunate outcome for the entire plaza and everyone nearby.
I drive past that plaza all the time. Never thought something like this would happen there.
RichmondHillLocalSame, I know that plaza. It always seemed pretty quiet and low key. Really unsettling to hear about something this serious happening there.
It's a stark reminder that these incidents can happen anywhere, the plaza near Leslie Street and East Wilmot Street is very much a familiar, everyday spot for many residents in the area.
Three times in one week. Someone really has it out for this place.
The fact that all three cars were stolen is really suspicious. This was clearly planned out.
Investigators are clearly looking at the bigger picture, two vehicles stolen from Toronto and licence plates stolen from Ajax do suggest a deliberate and coordinated effort.
Dave K.Exactly, and using different stolen vehicles each time too. This wasn't random, someone really had it out for this specific business.
Three times in one week. That is absolutely terrifying for any business owner.
Three incidents in just eight days is an extraordinary and deeply unsettling pattern, and it's something investigators are clearly treating with great seriousness.
Sandra M.And imagine the insurance nightmare on top of everything else. Even if the damage was limited each time, three incidents in a week has to be a lot to handle.