More Arson-Related Charges A ‘Distinct Possibility,’ Says Norfolk OPP Order

The Commander of the Norfolk Opp Says There Could Be More Charges related to a rash of arsons that had the community “living in fear.”

Content

Content

Recounded Videos

Content

Insp. Andrew Tait Said Strong Investigative Work Led to the Arrest of Two Norfolk County Men Who Have Each Been Charged With 11 Counts of Arson In Connection With A Series of Suspicious Fire Across the County Over the Last Three Mounts.

“It was Daunting,” Tait Said of the Investigation at a Media Conference Held Tuesday at the Opp Headquarters in Simcoe, a Day after the arrests. “Equally DAUNTING AND CONSUMING WILL BE THE TRACKING BACK and Going Through All The Evidence. There is a distinct possibility of additional charges as the investigation continuous. ”

But asked if residents Should be worried there in the Involved in the Arson Spree, Tait Suggestred there are.

“The investigation at this point wow suggest the two persons involved have been identified and responsible.”

Content

Matthew Smith, 30, and Chad Reimer, 43, Were Arrested Shortly After Emergency Responsonders Were Sent To A Fire in A Vacant Barn on Lynn Valley Road, East of Highway 6 in Haldimand County on Sunday Night at About 10:30 PM

Officers from the Norfolk and Haldimand OPP, the Opp Crime Unit, Members of the West Région Opp Emergency Response Team and the Haldimand County Fire Department Responded to the Fire.

A few minutes later, font stopped a pickup truck on concession 12 Townsend in norfolk country because it matched a description of a vehicle seen near a suspicious fire in norfolk in November.

Police HAD BEEN INVESTIGATING 13 SUSPICIOUS FIERES SET IN NORFOLK SECTION LATE OCTOBER AND HAD SET UP A Joint Task Force To Track Those Responsible.

Content

Asked on tuesday about the Heavy Police Presence at Sunday’s Fire and WhheTher Officers WEE “Ready for these guys,” Tait Said No, but added the Arsons were the Investigative Team’s No. 1 Priority.

“They Could Pivot and Move Quickly. Everything Unfolded Perfectly. ”

The Spate of Fires Targeted Five Abandoned Houses and 12 Empty Barns or Outbuildings in Sparsly Populated Rural Areas, Though a Working Gas Station was torched Overnight on Jan. 21 and the Flames Spread to an Endéched Occupied Home. Everyone Escaped Safely.

Norfolk Mayor Amy Martin Said the Arsons Traumatized Residents.

“Everybody was kind of living in fear waiting for a resolution and concerned about when the next fire might be and where it might be.

Content

“The Community is very happy and glad to hear this news and look -for -more details, Obviously. I’m hearing that Quite has bit. But that will come in good time. ”

Martin Said Firefighters, All of Whom Are Volnteers, “Demonstrated Extraordinary Bravery and Commitment, Working Tirelessly to Safeguard Our Community.”

“The collaboration between opposite, our firefighters and our residents has been instrumental in resolving these incidents.”

Norfolk Fire Chief Gord Stilwell Said All Structure Fires Take A Toll on Firefighters.

“These are the only calls they have. When they go to a Structure Fire in the Middle of the Night They Have Already Been to Two or Three Other Calls.

“I want to recognize the bravery and hard work of volunteer Firefighters to face the dangers posed by these deliberate acts of destruction and their relentless effort to combat the Fires for Countless hours During Some of the Coldest Days of the Year.”

Content

The accused men were remanded in custody following a lease hearing on monday. In Addition to the Arson Charges, Reimer is loaded with damage to propery and operation unchanged.

Smith is also loaded with damage to property and fail to comply with probation.

A PERSON Named Matthew M. Smith, Who is the same age as the accused, was sentenced in simcoe court on may 17, 2024 for fairing to comply with probation. A charge of Assaulting Police was withdrawn. He was sentenced to 18 months of probation.

Because the investigation is nail, it was Said there is much font can’t reveal. He Said they can’t say how the Fires Were Started, What the Motive was, or how accused men are connected.

Although Stilwell Said responding to the Fires “put a stress on our service,” He Said the Department is in good shape and well prepared.

Content

He Said there will be Emphasis on Strengthening Prevention Measures and Educating the public about the Importing of Reporting Suspicious Activity “To help Protect Our Community from Future Senseless Acts.”

Stilwell Said Property Owners Should Secure All Their Buildings, where they are used or not. Power to Unused Buildings Should be Disconnected and Fuel-Fired Appliances Should be inspected Yearly.

The Norfolk County Crime Unit Urges Anyone With Information About Any of the Fires to Contact the Norfolk County Opp at 1-888-310-1122. Residents in Any of the Affected Areas Are Encoured to Review Their Home Surveillary Systems for Any Footage That Could Aid in the Investigation.

To remain anonymous, call crime stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or leave an anonymous tip at helppricime.com where you may be eLigible to cash reward of up to $ 2,000.

Content