Ontario Provincial Police have released video footage of as person of interest as they investigate an arson in which an animal was set on fire in Orillia.
Police and firefighters responded to the intersection of Colborne Street East and West Street South around 5 p.m. on Monday, where they discovered a dead animal and an accelerant. Investigators have not disclosed the type of animal that was killed.
On Friday, police say they received video footage of a person of interest leaving the area at around 4:50 p.m. The person is described as a white male, wearing black pants, a black sweater, a black baseball hat, white shoes, and carrying a backpack.
#OrilliaOPP is seeking the public's assistance in an arson investigation following an animal complaint on Sept 16 at Colborne St E & West St S in the @cityoforillia. Police are urging anyone with info to contact the OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or @CrimeSDM at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) ^gd pic.twitter.com/tg9j5yWWUL
— OPP Central Region (@OPP_CR) September 20, 2024
"Before the incident, the individual was seen on the south side of Colborne Street East, crossing north at the crosswalk. They then walked diagonally through a gas station parking lot, disappearing behind a building. Within moments, the individual emerges from the location where the incident occurred," police said in a news release.
Investigators are urging anyone who may have been in the area at the time or any local business with surveillance footage to contact the OPP's non-emergency number at 1-888-310-1122 or Crime Stoppers to remain anonymous at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or www.crimestopperssdm.com.
