Two Norfolk males every face 11 counts of arson in reference to a sequence of suspicious fires in and across the county over the past three months.
Printed Jan 27, 2025 • Final up to date 10 hours in the past • 3 minute learn
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An deserted residence on Concession 6, simply west of Angling Street close to Waterford, was the scene of certainly one of three in a single day fires which have all been deemed suspicious by the Norfolk County hearth division. Picture taken on Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025. (Brian Thompson/Postmedia Community)
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Two Norfolk males every face 11 counts of arson in a sequence of suspicious fires in and across the county over the past three months.
The arrests got here after a fireplace in a vacant barn on Lynn Valley Street, east of Freeway 6 in Haldimand County on Sunday night time.
Officers from Norfolk and Haldimand OPP, the OPP crime unit, members of the West Area OPP emergency response crew and the Haldimand County hearth division responded to the hearth at about 10:30 p.m.
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Police say no accidents had been reported.
About 10 minutes later, officers stopped a pickup truck on Concession 12 Townsend in Norfolk County. Police say it matched the outline of a automobile seen close to a suspicious hearth in Norfolk in November.
The driving force and passenger of the truck had been arrested.
Police allege the suspects “were involved in multiple similar incidents throughout Norfolk County between November 2024 and January 2025,” Norfolk OPP stated in a information launch Monday.
“Through investigative excellence and community partnership, we’ve held those responsible accountable, ensuring justice and restoring community trust,” stated Norfolk OPP Insp. Andy Tait, the detachment commander.
Matthew Smith, 30, of Norfolk County has been charged with 11 counts of arson — harm to property and failing to adjust to probation order.
Chad Reimer, 43, of Norfolk County is charged with 11 counts of arson — harm to property; and operation whereas impaired.
The accused are in custody and scheduled to seem for a bail listening to on the Ontario Court docket of Justice in Simcoe on Monday.
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Final week, Tait confirmed to members of Norfolk’s police providers board that police arrange a joint process power to sort out the spike in arsons.
Police have been investigating 13 incidents of arson in Norfolk since late October, with 4 suspicious fires final week alone. Among the incidents have seen a number of constructions catch hearth. Sunday’s was in neighbouring Haldimand County.
5 deserted homes and 12 empty barns or outbuildings in sparsely populated rural areas had been focused, although a working gasoline station was torched in a single day on Jan. 21 and the flames unfold to an connected occupied residence. Everybody inside escaped safely.
“These fires are very, very concerning to anybody,” stated Tait on the assembly. “Someone might say, well, it’s property damage. Yes, but you’re putting live human beings in a position to respond and deal with these fires, and you’re putting them at risk. That really makes me extremely concerned.”
Police didn’t establish the precise properties associated to the fees the 2 males face.
Suspicious fires below investigation embody:
Oct. 29, 2024 , 11:30 p.m. on Turkey Level RoadNov. 12, 2024, 10:38 p.m. on Windham East Quarter Line Street, SimcoeNov. 13, 2024, 1:03 a.m. on Windham Street 13, SimcoeNov. 26, 2024, 10:19 p.m. on Fourteenth Road West, SimcoeNov. 27, 2024, 12:03 a.m. on tenth Concession Street, LangtonDec. 11, 2024, 4:09 a.m. on Freeway 24 close to Concession 11 TownsendDec. 19, 2024, 11:40 p.m. on Concession 10 Townsend, WaterfordDec. 27, 2024, 12:33 a.m. on St. John’s Street West, SimcoeJan. 6, 2025, 3:29 a.m. on Windham Street 11, DelhiJan. 19, 2025, 10 p.m. on First Concession Street, Port RowanJan. 21, 2025, 11:40 p.m. close to Concession 6 Townsend and Angling RoadJan. 22, 2025 after midnight, gasoline station on Freeway 24.Jan. 22, 2025, 2:20 a.m. Brantford Street at Teeterville Street
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The Norfolk County OPP crime unit urges anybody with details about this incident or beforehand reported incidents to contact Norfolk County OPP at 1-888-310-1122. Residents on this or another affected areas are additionally inspired to assessment their residence surveillance techniques for any footage that might assist within the investigations.
To stay nameless, name Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or depart an nameless tip at helpsolvecrime.com the place it’s possible you’ll be eligible to obtain a money reward of as much as $2,000.
With recordsdata from J.P. Antonacci, Native Journalism Initiative Reporter, . The initiative is funded by the Authorities of Canada.
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