Police are looking for a suspect in connection with two suspicious fires last month in Richmond Hill.
On May 30, shortly after 11 p.m., police responded to reports of a tree on fire close to a residence in the area of Kellogg Crescent and Verdi Road. Firefighters extinguished the flames, and no injuries or property damage were reported.
Video surveillance shows a dark compact SUV stopping on the street. The suspect exits the vehicle, walks up to the tree, ignites it and takes off in the SUV.
On May 31, shortly before 10 a.m., police were contacted by a homeowner who lives in the area of Kellogg Crescent and Verdi Road, reporting a tree on his property showed signs of being burned.
Video surveillance from the time of the May 30 incident shows a male in a walkway between two residences setting a small fire on a tree at the rear of one of the homes. The suspect walks back to his vehicle and flees the scene. There was no damage to property, and the fire went out on its own after about 20 seconds.
Police believe the same suspect is responsible for both fires.
The suspect is described as about five-foot-11, 180 pounds, with a full beard, wearing light-coloured track pants, a dark-coloured jacket, a light-coloured sweater, a baseball hat and white sneakers.
A video of the suspect and the incidents can be seen here.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the York Regional Police #2 District Criminal Investigations Bureau at 1-866-876-5423, ext. 7241. Information can be provided anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or 1800222tips.com.
