Mounties have released video footage of a man suspected to be involved in one of a series of arsons and shootings targeting people connected to the Justice Institute of B.C.
The surveillance tape shows a man outside former West Vancouver police chief Scott Armstrong's home in the 1000-block of Lawson Avenue on Jan. 13, the morning a small fire was deliberately set at the house. The suspect can be seen tipping a jerry can against the building before striking a match and igniting a horseshoe of flame.
"The video is quite good quality, so we are hopeful someone will recognize this male suspect through the combination of slim build, jacket, ball cap, duffel bag and light colored belt," RCMP Sgt. Peter Thiessen said in a press release.
Firefighters quickly extinguished the fire and were able to restrict the damage to the front of the home.
Police say they have identified several other suspects in connection to attacks targeting about 14 people connected to JIBC, the New Westminster school where aspiring police officers train. One of the suspects may have been burned while setting a fire in Surrey on Nov. 2.
Mounties say none of the victims are affiliated with criminal activity and they have not been physically harmed in the attacks. The targets include employees, past students and others "loosely linked" to JIBC.
Earlier this month, Mounties received an email from someone who indicated they had more information about the crimes. Investigators are still trying to speak with the author directly.
Police first discovered the connection between the ongoing crimes in September, and said they dated back to last spring. In some cases, people's cars and homes were set ablaze, while in others, shots were fired at their vehicles.
In December, investigators announced a bizarre twist in the case when a female claims adjustor at ICBC was accused of improperly accessing the private information of 65 people, including each of the victims in the arsons and shootings.
The insurance employee was fired without severance, and she and an associate are now under investigation for mischief to data, endangering life and breach of trust.
Anyone with information about the attacks is asked to call RCMP at 604-598-4326 or email arsoninfo@rcmp-grc.gc.ca.
