A Sunshine Coast man is facing one count of arson in connection with a fire on Sechelt Indian Band lands on July 13.
On Aug. 8, Sunshine Coast RCMP issued an arrest warrant for 48-year-old Michael Wilfred Shea. He was arrested by Vancouver police on Sunday, Aug. 10, and appeared in Vancouver provincial court on Monday.
The fire on July 13 destroyed a home on Band lands.
Police have also confirmed that they have spoken with two persons of interest in connection with recent fire activity. RCMP are investigating 18 suspicious fires in the community since April.
Sgt. Stuart Falebrinza said one of the two people interviewed by police was considered a possible suspect, while the other person might be a witness.
Police have also identified a 22-year-old suspect they believe is responsible for setting a fire on July 7 to wooden pallets behind the Gibsons A&W restaurant.
Falebrinza said police will be forwarding a report to Crown counsel with the hopes a formal charge will be laid next week."At this point it appears this suspect is only responsible for setting the one fire," he said. Falebrinza said all the suspicious fire activity files are active, and police are looking to see if any of them are linked.
"We're certainly looking to see if any of the files are linked and if the suspects we have identified could be linked as well, but we're also keeping our minds open to the fact that it could be a different person or persons responsible," Falebrinza said. "We're still looking, and would appreciate hearing from the public if they have information that could help these investigations."
Anyone with information is urged to contact police at 604-885-2266 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
