Police have linked an attempted arson at a home in Surrey this weekend to a bizarre string of crimes targeting people connected to the Justice Institute of B.C.
The small fire early Saturday was the third attack aimed at the home in the 8300-block of 151st Street, which is just one of the targets in a long series of connected crimes, Mounties say. Shots were fired near the home in May, and another fire was intentionally set in April.
Residents of the home called 911 around 2:30 a.m. to report the latest blaze, which was quickly extinguished and caused no injuries.
Investigators say the fire is just the latest in a series of arsons and shooting aimed at a total of 13 people associated with JIBC, the New Westminster school where aspiring police officers train. Mounties say none of the victims are affiliated with criminal activity and no one has been physically harmed.
Police first discovered the link between the incidents in September, when they said 10 people had been targeted. In some cases, people's cars and homes were set ablaze, while in others shots were fired at their vehicles.
Since then, several new crimes have been committed and police have identified more victims. The targets include employees, past students and others "loosely linked" to the school.
In December, police announced a strange twist in their investigation: A female claims adjustor at ICBC was accused of improperly accessing the private information of 65 people, including all of those targeted in the arsons and shootings.
The insurance employee was fired without severance last month and remains under police investigation.
Staff and students at JIBC have been warned about the attacks, and school officials say they have stepped up security.
