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A 17-year-old boy is now among six people accused of deliberately setting fire to autobody shops north of the city earlier this year.
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York Regional Police say the first arson occurred in the area of George St. and Davis Dr. – just east of Yonge St. – in Newmarket around 11 p.m. on Feb. 6.
“Three suspects forced their way into an autobody shop and used an accelerant to start a fire,” Const. James Dickson said in a news release.
He said a second shop near Edward and Metcalfe Sts. – southeast of Yonge St. and Wellington St. E. – in Aurora was set ablaze around 10:15 p.m. on Feb. 9.
“Two suspects broke into an autobody shop and used and accelerant to start a fire,” Dickson said. “It has since been determined the two incidents are directly related.”
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Investigators subsequently identified numerous suspects, arresting three adults and two youths in connection with the arsons after executing search warrants at four residences in Toronto and allegedly seizing a loaded firearm.
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Humyun Hayat, 30, of Toronto, faces two counts of arson causing damage to property and six firearm-related charges.
Prabjot Singh, 22, of Brampton, was charged with two counts of arson causing damage to property.
Ahman Ranzor, 19, of Toronto, was charged with arson causing damage to property, break-and-enter with intent, and wearing a disguise with intent.
A Toronto boys, 15 and 13, were charged with arson causing damage to property, break-and-enter with intent, wearing a disguise with intent, and two counts of failure to comply with a release order.
At the time of their arrests, both boys were on release orders for unrelated offences.
And now one of the two suspects who were still outstanding has been arrested, Dickson said.
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The 17-year-old Toronto boy, who can’t be identified under the Youth Criminal Justice Act, is charged with arson, break-and-enter, and wearing a disguise with intent.
A seventh suspect – identified as Danish, 37, of Toronto – is still wanted and a warrant has been issued for his arrest.
Investigators have released an image of the wanted man hoping members of the public can help track him down.
“The investigation is still ongoing and the incidents are believed to be targeted,” Dickson said.
Anyone with information regarding this investigation is urged to call police at 1-866-876-5423, ext. 7142, or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
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