Edmonton police expand probe into 24 arsons in south-side neighbourhoods
CBC
A total of 24 arsons have occurred in six south-side Edmonton neighbourhoods this year, the Edmonton Police Service said Monday.
The EPS investigation began in May after a fire in Strathearn and has been expanded in scope after continued partnership with Edmonton Fire Rescue Services, police said in a news release Monday.
Most of the fires were earlier in the year but the most recent incidents occurred this month, police said.
The arsons — to occupied homes, unoccupied new homes, detached garages and sheds — have been in the following neighbourhoods:
"As we continue to work with Edmonton Fire Rescue Services, the City of Edmonton and members of the impacted communities, we are thoroughly reviewing all arsons that have been reported in these areas since the beginning of the year," Insp. Shannon Dechamplain with the EPS Investigations Branch said in Monday's news release.
"While we are unsure if these events are related beyond proximity, we have been able to identify several persons of interest."
Police are continuing to patrol through the affected communities, increasing proactive response with help from EPS crime disruption and suppression teams.
Anyone who observes suspicious activity, or who has information about the arsons, is asked to contact police.
Police said there are no connections between the 24 arsons and those that have been investigated as part of Project Gaslight.
Project Gaslight is a police probe into incidents targeting business owners in Edmonton, alleged to have been carried out by a group of local suspects directed from India.
Likewise, the arsons are not believed to be related to bitcoin extortions, EPS said.
A handwritten note with a demand for a cryptocurrency transfer was found at a home in Holyrood after a vehicle was set on fire in September.
In October, a home in Cloverdale was gutted by fire, with initial investigations pointing to arson as the cause. Two people who live nearby told CBC they found notes telling them to pay money to a cryptocurrency address.
Police are continuing to patrol through the affected communities, increasing proactive response with help from EPS crime disruption and suppression teams.
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