Pyromaniac in PG? Police Say Investigation is Underway

Joseph Myvett

Police say an arsonist set a vehicle on fire in Punta Gorda sometime around one on Sunday morning. The pick-up truck was in a parking lot at a shopping center when fire was seen coming from the front passenger seat. Police recovered a bottle with liquid substance suspected to be kerosene. There have been at least three other vehicles that have been torched in Toledo – but police say they are yet to determine if there is any connection between the incidents or if there is a pyromaniac actively operating in that area. ACP Joseph Myvett shares more about this incident.

ACP Joseph Myvett, Head, National Crimes Investigation Branch

“Punta Gorda police were on patrol when they observed a Volkswagen parked beside Tim’s Store and the inside was engulfed in flames. As a result, the fire department was called and the fire was extinguished. During the inspection of the scene, a plastic bottle with liquid was found. So far surveillance footage viewed has not been able to determine the identity of the person. Investigation has led us to believe that it was a case of arson.”

Reporter

“Since there appears to be no clear pattern of individual being targeted in a specific group per se; might it be someone, a pyromaniac, someone who likes to burn cars?”

ACP Joseph Myvett

“Well, at this time that is something we are trying to determine. We are trying to see if something retrieved from the other scene is consistent with this scene.”