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(Update: July 24 at 2 pm): Police have released footage showing a Mini Cooper being set alight in Rutland last month.
In the video, the suspect can be seen setting an object on fire before throwing it into the car and fleeing the scene.
Mounties previously said the arson was targeted.
The woman who owned the car also said it appeared to be a targeted attack, explaining in a social media post that her husband was a “very vocal” opponent of the McCurdy Road supportive housing development.
The incident occurred at about 1 am on Pearson Road.
“Someone in the community must recognize our arson suspect,” said Cpl Jesse O’Donaghey.
“The suspect, who may be recognizable to someone due to his clothing or stature, seems to carry himself in a unique and distinctive manner as he jogs away from the scene.”
The suspect is described as:
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6ft tall
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Heavy set
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Wearing a light-coloured hoodie, light-coloured pants and dark running shoes
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Kelowna RCMP at 250-762-3300.
Or to remain completely anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or leave a tip online at crimestoppers.net.
(Original story: 2:55 pm on June 26): A Mini Cooper was set on fire in Rutland early on Monday morning in what police say was the act of an arsonist.
Mounties were called just after 1 a.m. to aid Kelowna Fire Department on Pearson Road.
When they got there, the car was “fully engulfed in flames”.
“A Kelowna RCMP fire investigator has since conducted an examination of the charred vehicle and has now deemed the incident as an act of arson,” said Cpl. Jesse O’Donaghey.
“Our investigators have reason to believe that the event was targeted.”
A woman later posted on Facebook that it was her Mini – and that it had been targeted because her husband is “very vocal” in opposition to the McCurdy Road supportive housing development.
She wrote that she was “jarred” out of bed by the “sounds of something exploding,” adding: “That something happened to be my prized Mini Cooper”.
“My 18-month-old daughter was sleeping in our house, where my car was parked, when this happened,” she said.
“Think about that. Luckily, no one was hurt – it’s just a car.
“So, do we shut up and let these people take our neighborhood, which I am sure is what they want, or continue voicing our opinions?
“I say voice your opinions, but be careful how much information is out there about where you live/work. Let’s hope this is the only thing that gets destroyed.”
The woman also mentioned that MLA Norm Letnick – who is opposed to the development as well – had his office vandalized.
Mounties confirmed that on Tuesday at about 11 a.m., they received a report of mischief at a building on the 300 block of Hwy 33 W.
It is believed the damage was caused overnight.
KelownaNow has asked Letnick for a comment but he is yet to reply.
Separately, the organizer of an ongoing protest outside the McCurdy Road site – Christopher Bocskei – told KelownaNow he has received threats.
Police also released a description of the unidentified suspect believed to be responsible for setting the Mini alight:
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6ft tall
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Heavy set
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Wearing a light-coloured hoodie with the hood up
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Light-coloured pants
-
Dark running shoes
Anyone with any information about the vandalism or arson is asked to contact Kelowna RCMP at 250-762-3300.
Or, to remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or leave a tip online at crimestoppers.net
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