Police are investigating what they believe to be acts of arson at two Richmond Hill businesses in the same plaza.
At about 3:45 a.m. Sept. 3, York Regional Police responded to the plaza in the area of Highway 7 East and Leslie Street for a report of smoke coming from the building. Richmond Hill firefighters were already on scene when officers arrived, extinguishing a fire inside one of the businesses.
Two suspects were caught on surveillance camera walking through the parking lot carrying containers. They were last seen running north through the parking lot to Wertheim Court. One suspect might have sustained burns to his hand.
On Sept. 4 at 4:55 a.m., emergency crews responded to another fire at a different business in the same plaza. Fire crews had already put out the blaze by the time police arrived. The business and surrounding units sustained serious damage.
Two male suspects were seen running through the parking lot carrying jugs of liquid at about 5 a.m. They were later seen running toward Wertheim Court.
Police believe both fires were intentionally set and might be connected. The suspects might have been operating a white four-door vehicle in the first incident.
Video of the suspects in both 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.
