Charges laid in two southeast vehicle arsons

We have charged a man after it is believed he was responsible for intentionally setting two vehicles on fire yesterday morning in the southeast.

On Monday, Jan. 13, 2025, at approximately 8:50 a.m., we were called to the 100 block of Legacy Main Street S.E., for reports that an unknown man had set fire to a 2024 Ford Escape before fleeing the area in a white Ford Focus.

A short time later at approximately 9 a.m., we were called to the 400 block of Walgrove Way S.E., for a similar incident. Again, an unknown suspect, believed to be travelling in a white Ford Focus, approached a 2010 Volkswagen Tiguan and intentionally set it on fire.

The Calgary Fire Department attended both scenes and extinguished the fires. No injuries were reported.

While working alongside the CFD, our Arson Unit investigators confirmed the damage caused in both incidents was consistent with using an accelerant to ignite the fires.

Evidence led investigators to believe the two incidents were connected. It was also determined the Ford Focus used by the suspect had previously been reported stolen.

Several hours later, at approximately 3:15 p.m., our officers in District 8 observed the Ford Focus travelling in the community of Legacy at a high rate of speed.

The vehicle drove to the 900 block of Eighth Avenue S.E., where the driver got out and was taken into custody without incident.

As a result, Tyson Lee BONNICK, 31, of Calgary, was charged with two counts of arson, and one count each of possession of stolen property under $5,000 and possession of a controlled substance.

He will next appear in court on Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025.

“These fires were intentionally set in busy communities in our city, causing irreversible damage to vehicles and putting the public at risk,” says Staff Sgt. Kurt Jacobs of the Calgary Police Service Robbery and Arson Unit. “Thanks to the co-ordinated efforts of members from across the Service, we were able to locate and arrest the individual responsible for this dangerous behaviour.”

Anyone with information about these incidents is asked to contact police by calling 403-266-1234. Tips can also be submitted anonymously to Crime Stoppers through any of the following methods:

TALK: 1-800-222-8477

TYPE: www.calgarycrimestoppers.org

APP: P3 Tips

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