Aug 11, 2026 • Last updated 1 day ago •
Firefighters were called to a fire at an empty barn on Brantford Road at Teeterville Road around 2:20 a. m. on Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025. A man from Port Rowan was sentenced on Monday after admitting his role in the series of arson fires, including this incident. Submitted
A man from Port Rowan who pleaded guilty to multiple counts of arson that caused alarm in Norfolk County during 2024 received his sentence in Simcoe on Monday.
This has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
Chad Reimer, aged 44, was sentenced to a year of house arrest followed by another year with strict nighttime curfews as explained by Justice Gethin Edward.
“It goes without saying that arson is one of the most serious offences in our criminal code,” the judge stated during the hearing.
“The offence (carries a penalty) of up to 14 years.”
The judge noted that although Reimer drove his co-accused to each of the eleven fire sites and didn’t start the fires himself, he was still heavily involved.
“(He) was still clearly a party of the offence and just as culpable,” Edward remarked.
The judge referred to a psychiatric evaluation revealing that Reimer faced various difficulties, including “significant cognitive impairments.”
He pleaded guilty to two counts of arson and one count of driving under the influence. Reimer had no prior criminal record and expressed his guilt immediately upon arrest.
This has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
</P
The fires occurred in barns and outbuildings between November 2024 and January 2025. This led to community efforts involving police, agencies, and residents working together to find those responsible.</P
“The community in Norfolk was justifiably concerned about an arsonist on the loose,” said the judge.</P
An alert citizen noticed Reimer’s red F-150 pickup near one of the blazes which brought him to police attention.</P
Cops tracked down Reimer’s identity and learned he supposedly enjoyed “chasing fires.”</P
P eventually found him sitting in his truck close to an early-stage fire on Lynn Valley Road in Haldimand County.
“No one was inside any of the (11) structures; thus there were no deaths or injuries,” said Edward. “The accused’s role was simply driving his red pickup truck while having his co-accused as a passenger.”
The judge pointed out that Reimer has “some very real cognitive impairments” and that “no jail or prison is equipped to deal” with these issues.
However, Edward added that Reimer’s mother and surety have shown they can keep him grounded while support from his tight-knit community in Port Rowan has also been significant.
This has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
Letters from community members portrayed Reimer as someone eager to help who’s “only limited by his bail restrictions” regarding volunteering.
Since being arrested on Feb. 21, 2025, he’s adhered strictly to house arrest without breaking any rules.
Given how well he’s followed bail conditions so far, Edward believes a community service order is appropriate.
Reimer must complete sixty hours of community service while remaining home except for short trips each week for groceries or necessities. He can also leave for work or school or attend counseling sessions.
After a year passes, he’ll still be subject to curfews from ten PM until six AM.
He must stay at least fifty meters away from where the fires took place unless he’s just driving past them and cannot possess any weapons.
Regarding his guilty plea related to drunk driving charges, Reimer received a fine of $1,500 along with a two-year ban on driving.< /P
Sought by his lawyer for its return following its impounding last year , the judge denied it.
< "This court believes it played an integral part in these arsons will be forfeited" said Edward." "to Crown either destruction sale".
< similar charges Arson against Matthew Smith aged thirty-one are pending evidence presentation Court. His case remains ongoing later this month
< SGamble
< @EXPSGamble
<
< Share this article across your social media network
Source link
