A Guelph-Eramosa man has been charged in connection to a series of suspicious fires across Wellington County.
Wellington County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) along with fire services throughout the Wellington County have been responding to suspicious fires since September of 2016. Most of these fires involved abandoned rural homes and buildings in the southern portion of the county. More than 30 fires have been deemed suspicious during that time frame.
Wellington OPP undertook a comprehensive investigation into these fires. As a result of this investigation, the Wellington County OPP, with assistance from the Wellington County Crime Unit, West Region Criminal Operations, OPP Forensic Identification Services and Ontario Fire Marshall’s Office, have made an arrest in relation to six of the fires.
Justin Nicholas Johnathon Beal, 28, of Guelph-Eramosa Township has been charged with six counts of arson contrary to the Criminal Code. He was released on bail from Guelph court on Oct. 30.
Beal is charged in relation to the following fires:
– Oct.14, 2016 house fire at 5230 Third Line, Guelph-Eramosa;
– Oct. 19, 2016 house fire at 5292 Third Line, Guelph-Eramosa;
– Feb. 3, 2017 shed fire at 6873 Highway 7 Guelph-Eramosa;
– Feb, 3, 2017 house and barn fire at 5413 Township Road 3, Guelph-Eramosa;
– June 25, 2017 shed fire at 5324 Wellington Road 125, Erin; and
– June 25, 2017 house fire 8813 Sideroad 27, Erin.
Wellington County OPP and West Region Criminal Operations are continuing with the investigation.
Anyone with any information about these arsons or any other suspicious fires is urged to contact Detective Heidi Pautsch or Detective Mark Allen at 519 846-5930, or contact the Wellington County OPP at 1-888-310-1122.
To remain anonymous call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or submit a tip online at www.csgw.tips. Callers may be eligible for a reward from Crime Stoppers of up to $2,000.
