Police have arrested a 25-year-old Nanaimo man for allegedly setting fires in garbage cans and dumpsters.
The suspect was arrested for mischief and held in custody Oct. 24 after police were called to Millstone Avenue near Rosehill Street to deal with a man throwing rocks and kicking cars and fences.
Police were already investigating 10 dumpster and garbage fires that occurred during a five-week period in September and October.
“This person was identified early on in the dumpster fire investigation as a person of interest. While in custody he willingly spoke to investigators and admitted his involvement in at least four of the fires,” said Const. Gary O’Brien, Nanaimo RCMP spokesman.
The four fires he claimed responsibility for happened Sept. 25, 28 and Oct. 21. All were set near Woodgrove Centre and involved dumpsters and garbage cans.
Police have recommended charges of four counts of arson against the suspect who has been released on a promise to appear in Nanaimo provincial court Dec. 4.
Six other suspicious fires remain unsolved.
Anyone with information about any of those incidents is asked to call Nanaimo RCMP at 250-754-2345 or contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online at www.nanaimocrimestoppers.com.