Arson in West Vancouver linked to Justice Institute and ICBC investigation
By Contributor
The Lower Mainland District RCMP is confirming that an arson in West Vancouver Friday morning is linked to the ongoing Justice Institute and ICBC investigation.
On January 13, 2012, at approximately 2:40 a.m., the West Vancouver Police responded to a report of a house fire in the 1000 block Lawson Ave, West Vancouver. The fire was extinguished by the WVFD and the damage was contained to the front of the residence.
“Upon arrival West Vancouver officers quickly determined that the fire was intentionally set” says Sergeant Peter Thiessen, senior spokesperson for the Lower Mainland District RCMP and EDIV.
In regard to this new incident in West Vancouver, Sgt.Thiessen confirms that this is the first time this home and its occupants have been victimized.
“I want to emphasize that the residents of this home are not affiliated with any criminal activity whatsoever,” says Sgt.Thiessen.
The Justice Institute / ICBC investigation, led by the RCMP, was announced in early September in regard to a connection between a number of arsons to homes and vehicles, and shootings of homes and vehicles throughout the Lower Mainland. At the time the RCMP indicated some victims were either current or former staff or students of the Justice Institute, while others were only loosely linked to the school.
In December the RCMP issued an update on the investigation, indicating that 13 individuals linked to the Justice Institute of British Columbia had been victimized. The investigation had revealed a link to an ICBC employee, who allegedly accessed personal information of 65 individuals, which included 13 identified victims of crime.
“That number now stands at 14 victims with the addition of this new incident” says Sgt Thiessen. “This investigation remains a top priority for us, and police continue to gather considerable evidence,”
Police ask the public to be vigilant, and to immediately report any suspicious activity to their local police. If you have any information about these crimes and wish to remain anonymous, call CRIME STOPPERS at 1(800) 222-8477 or leave a TIP online at www.bccrimestoppers.com.
