By Corey Fischer

Update: Suspect Charged With Arson

Mar 14, 2018 | 12:02 PM

An Armstrong woman has been charged with four counts of arson related to some suspicious fires in the community over the last week

60 year old Colette Leneveu is scheduled for a bail hearing today in Vernon provincial court.

She was arrested Monday night after a resident alerted police to a suspicious person in the area of several suspicious fires on Okanagan Street.

Police say there has been six suspicious fires in Armstrong since last Thursday.

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A 60 year old woman has been taken into custody in connection with a series of suspicious fires in the Armstrong area.

RCMP were called to assist the Armstrong Fire Department at the scene at two suspected arsons around 9 pm Monday, both located in the 3000 block of Okanagan Street in Armstrong.

“Police responded and found a set of tires had been lit on fire beside a garage at one home and a back deck at another home located down the street. Both fires were extinguished prior to extensive damage being done,” says Cst. Kelly Brett.

While responding to those fires, police learned of another alleged arson in the 2200 block of Okanagan Street where a suspect attempted to light two cars on fire and fled the area.

“It was the quick thinking of a local resident who observed a suspicious person in the area and was able to provide a detailed description of the suspect and vehicle details,” says Brett. “Officers quickly attended to the area and were able to locate and arrest the suspect thanks to the keen eye-witness observations made.”

Between March 8-12, six suspicious fires have been reported in the Armstrong area with varying levels of reported damaged.

No one was injured in any of the incidents.

Brett says the Vernon North Okanagan RCMP major crime unit and the Forensic Identification Section are engaged in all six investigations.

“Although an arrest has been made, the investigation is in the early stages. The fires are believed to be incendiary in nature and are therefore being treated as arson.”

A 60 year old Armstrong woman remains in custody and is facing possible charges of arson.

Anyone with information about any of the fires and have not yet spoken to police, is asked to contact the Armstrong RCMP at 250-546-3028, or remain anonymous by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477, or leaving a tip online at www.nokscrimestoppers.com.

by Corey Fischer