An arsonist struck Toronto’s upscale Bennington Heights neighbourhood overnight targeting unlocked vehicles with loose papers and clothing inside.
Fires were reported on Brendan Road, Burnham Road and Heathbridge Park Road.
In total, there were seven separate incidents involving 10 vehicles, according to Toronto Fire Services. All of them were unlocked and contained either loose pieces of paper or clothing inside which could easily be set on fire. One of those fires was set inside an unlocked garage, spreading quickly to the home.
Six of the 10 vehicles have been completely destroyed. Sabadic estimated the damage to be about $100,000, not including the damages to the home that caught fire.
No one was injured as a result of the fires.
"We need neighbours to be vigilant," Det. Sgt. Daniel Sabadic told reporters at a news conference Friday morning. "It appears this suspect goes through the easiest path, an open garage or car door."
Although one person was taken into custody overnight, that person has been cleared of wrongdoing. No one has been arrested in connection with the case, Sabadic confirmed.
Police were first alerted to a car fire at around 3 a.m but then quickly became alerted to several other vehicle fires on several streets around the southwest corner of Bayview Avenue and Moore Avenue.
Around the same time, police were called for a robbery at a local convenience store. Witnesses described the robbery suspect to police as a white man in his 40s with grey hair, dark clothing, a black baseball cap and yellow running shoes. He allegedly stole lottery tickets and cigarettes before running westbound on Moore Street.
Sabadic said investigators are still trying to determine if the robbery and arsons are linked.
While police have a description of the man who robbed the corner store, they don't have a clear idea of what the arson suspect looks like.
Slabadic asked residents who have surveillance cameras installed around their homes to check the footage for signs of the suspect. Police believe the cars were struck between 2 a.m. and 5 a.m. Friday.
In the meantime, detectives are checking across the GTA with other authorities to see if this case matches any previous similar incidents.
The Fire Marshal's Office has been called in to investigate the case.
