Police have arrested a 31-year-old man after an arson investigation in St. John’s. Alex has has been charged in connection with three recent fires, one of which occurred Jan. 25, and two separate fires that occurred Jan. 19.
Hayes was held to appear in court on the following charges;
– Arson x 3
– Break and Enter x 3
The RNC wishes to thank the public for their assistance and quick response in identifying HAYES.
The Royal Newfoundland Constabulary (RNC) are looking for an individual suspected of arson following a fire on Bonaventure Avenue early Wednesday evening.
Shortly after 5:00 p.m. multiple calls were received by St. John’s Regional Fire Department (SJRFD) alerting fire crews to a blaze behind a residence at the corner of Bonaventure Avenue and Harvey Road. When crews first arrived a few minutes later they found heavy fire and smoke coming from a back deck of the home. Firefighters were able to quickly bring the blaze under control, preventing its spread into the eave of the home. A small gazebo attached to the deck of the home was completely destroyed, while the home sustained mostly superficial damage.
Through their investigation, the RNC have determined the cause of the fire to be arson. Late Tuesday evening police released a photo, obtained through CCTV footage, of a person suspected of arson in relation to the blaze.
The RNC is asking anyone with information to contact them at 729-8000 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS(8477). You can also provide information anonymously on the NL Crime Stoppers website. The RNC have not yet confirmed if there is a connection to three previous fires that were also deemed suspicious in nature.
SJRFD Platoon Chief Mike Hall credited firefighters with being able to douse the flames, which could be seen from Signal Hill, before the home sustained substantial damage. Hall also recognized the home’s close proximity to Central Fire Station, less than half a kilometre away, as a contributing factor in the speedy knock-down.
The building, known as The Observatory, was built in the 1800’s. It survived the Great Fire of 1892, and was designated a heritage building in 1994.
The RNC are investigating multiple reports of arson which occurred in St. Johns between Saturday, January 14, 2023, and Thursday, January 19, 2023.
On Saturday, January 14, 2023 shortly after 5:00pm, RNC Operational Patrol Services along with St. John’s Regional Fire Department (SJRFD) responded to a report of a fire at a sports facility located on The Boulevard, St. Johns. Upon arrival, officers learned that the fire had caused damage to the exterior of the building.
On Thursday, January 19, 2023, shortly after 1:00 pm, RNC Operational Patrol Services and SJRFD responded to a report of a residential shed fire on Empire Ave between Rennies Mill Rd and Kings Bridge Rd. Patrol officers spoke with witnesses in the area who described a male suspect fleeing the scene.
On Thursday, January 19, 2023, shortly after 2:00pm, RNC Operational Patrol Services and SJRFD responded to another report of a residential shed fire on Empire Ave between Rennies Mill Rd and Kings Bridge Rd. Witnesses in the area described a suspect consistent with what had been observed leaving the
scene of the nearby fire an hour before.
The RNC have deemed each of these fires to be suspicious in nature and at this time they are believed to be related. The suspect has been described as male, approximately five feet six inches to six feet tall, medium build, and approximately 30-40 years in age. The suspect was seen wearing a green puffy coat, silver aviator sunglasses and dark pants.
The RNC are seeking any information that may assist the investigation, including observed suspicious activity, dash camera footage or CCTV in the following areas:
The Boulevard and Kings Bridge Road area, St. Johns, between the hours of 4:30 pm and 5:30 pm on January 14, 2023.
Empire Ave between Rennies Mill Rd and Kings Bridge Rd, St. Johns and surrounding roads, between the hours of 12:30 pm and 3:00 pm January 19, 2023.
The RNC request anyone who has information to assist contact the RNC at 729- 8000, or to remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers: #SayItHere 1-800-222- TIPS (8477), visit www.nlcrimestoppers.com or use the P3Tips app.
RCMP officers are investigating a single-vehicle crash, a home invasion, an arson of a home and a separate vehicle, as well as a sudden death, that occurred early Saturday morning in Campbellton.
Shortly after 2:30 a.m. on January 7, 2023, police received a report of a home invasion that occurred at a residence on Route 340 in Campbellton and a single-vehicle crash that had occurred near the residence, shortly before the home invasion. Officers arrived on the scene within the hour to investigate. A man knocked to the door of the home, which was answered, and then forced his way inside and assaulted an occupant. The victim ran from the residence for help and returned to discover that the upper level of the home, as well as a vehicle parked in the driveway, were on fire.
Firefighters extinguished both blazes and found a deceased man, who was not a resident of the home, inside a room on the upper level of the house.
RCMP officers from Lewisporte and Gander detachments, Major Crimes Units East and West, East District General Investigation Section, Forensic Identification Services, Police Dog Services and Traffic Services, attended the scene yesterday.
The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner is engaged and the investigation, which is being led by the RCMP Major Crimes Unit, is continuing.
An increased police presence is expected in the community over the next number of days as the investigation continues. There is no current risk to public safety.
Anyone having information about this incident is asked to contact RCMP Major Crimes Unit West at 709-637-4420 or, to remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers: #SayItHere 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), visit www.nlcrimestoppers.com or use the P3Tips app.
