Oak Bay Police are seeking the public’s help in identifying an arson suspect caught on surveillance camera.
On August 9th, at approximately 1 a.m., Oak Bay Police were dispatched to a report of a fire at a business in the 2000 block of Oak Bay Avenue.
Upon arrival, officers learned from two staff members that they had been inside the business after closing hours when they heard someone near the front doors.
When they went to check,they discovered flames outside the front door. The staff used a fire extinguisher to put out the fire.
Reviewing CCTV footage from the business’s outside entrance, police observed a white male wearing a dark-coloured balaclava, a denim jacket, camo-patterned pants, red running shoes, and a camo-styled backpack.
The video shows the suspect pouring a liquid over the front steps and door mat, then igniting it before fleeing the scene on foot.
Fortunately, the fire caused no damage to the building and no injuries were reported. Police say the quick response of the employees prevented what could have been a catastrophic outcome.
Police are seeking public assistance to identify the suspect involved in this incident.
Anyone with information is urged to contact the Oak Bay Police at 250-592-2424 or Greater Victoria Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.
