Surveillance video from a Vaughan, Ont., business shows a suspect appearing twice on different dates, both times carrying a jerrycan. York Regional police say the business was the victim of arson and a shooting. Police handout
A Toronto-area police service is actively seeking public assistance in identifying a suspect investigators have linked to an alleged arson and shooting at a Vaughan-based business earlier this year.
York Regional Police investigators say the arson occurred on April 18 near Islington Avenue and Kellam Street shortly before 10 a.m., after an employee arriving for their shift noticed the distinctive odour of gasoline, police said in a press release.
Investigators arrived on scene to find no active fire and confirmed that no one had sustained injuries.
Police have released security video from the business that shows a male suspect approaching the main doors at 6:30 a.m. with a jerrycan in hand. The suspect pours what seems to be an accelerant on the ground directly in front of the main entrance.
“It is unknown if there was any attempt to ignite the accelerant,” police said.
The video also shows the suspect throwing rocks at the windows before fleeing the scene.
Officers responded to the same business on April 22 at 5:40 a.m. following a report of potential gunshots and a suspected fire.
A video from the second incident shows a lone suspect approaching the front doors at 5:30 a.m. carrying a jerrycan and a duffel bag.
The suspect appears to fire a gun repeatedly at the doors before entering the business with the jerrycan. A blaze erupted in the building, prompting the suspect to flee the scene.
“On scene, it was determined the business sustained damage due to gunfire and the front glass door was smashed,” police said. “The fire subsided on its own and there were no injuries.”
Police describe the suspect in the first incident as a black male who is approximately 40 years old. He was dressed in a black fitted baseball cap adorned with a gold sticker, a black hoodie, and dark construction boots. The suspect in the second incident wore a black mask, a purple hoodie, black pants, and black shoes.
A black minivan featuring tinted windows has been spotted at both crime scenes, leading investigators to conclude that a single perpetrator is responsible for both incidents.
Investigators are seeking surveillance video or dashcam footage from the vicinity during the timeframe when both incidents occurred.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the York Regional Police firearms investigations team or Crime Stoppers.
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