A joint effort between the VicPD Major Crime Unit (MCU) and the Nanaimo RCMP has resulted in additional arson charges against an individual who was previously charged with multiple counts of arson in the Greater Victoria area.
The accused, 42-year-old Edwin Singh, was arrested and charged with four counts of arson in Victoria and Saanich in late August following an extensive investigation by VicPD’s MCU.
These initial incidents included two vehicle fires that caused significant property damage.
Subsequent to a thorough collaboration between VicPD Major Crime Detectives and the Nanaimo RCMP, Edwin Singh now faces two additional arson charges, with these incidents occurring in Nanaimo.
The charges stem from a vehicle fire and a fire set inside a large retail store in the 6800-block of Island Highway North, which resulted in approximately $2 million in property damage—no additional details were released.
Back in late August, VicPD first announced they made an arrest and believe that the suspect is responsible for igniting four notable fires throughout Victoria and Saanich.
Singh was apprehended following an extensive investigation.
Singh is currently facing charges related to four counts of arson for the following incidents:
June 23rd – 2500-block Government Street: A fire caused significant damage to a vehicle at the Enterprise Rent-A-Car in the 2500-block of Government Street. This fire was one of three initially investigated by VicPD as arson.
July 12th (First Incident) – 2300-block Government Street: A fire was set to cleaning supplies located in the loading dock of Acme Cleaning Supplies.
July 12th (Second Incident) – 2500-block Government Street: Just 40 minutes after the Victoria Fire Department had extinguished the fire at Acme Cleaning Supplies, they responded to another fire at Three Points Motors. A Mercedes Benz was set ablaze outside Three Points Motors, which resulted in damage to another nearby vehicle that was for sale.
August 16th – 700-block Tolmie Avenue, Saanich: A fire in Saanich was determined to be connected to the other blazes. This incident involved items in a loading zone area being set on fire.
Singh is not being charged with several other notable fires in downtown Victoria over the summer months.
Among these, the most significant were the fire at Ricky’s All Day Grill on June 16th and the complete destruction of a heritage home in the 2500-block of Government Street on July 2nd.
Fortunately, no injuries were reported in any of these fires. However, they did result in significant damage to property.
Edwin Singh remains in custody.
