Charges follow alleged arsons
Vehicles, home damaged by two fires
Shane Magee
Northern News Services
Friday, August 21, 2015
SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
One teenager has been arrested and a man is wanted for allegedly starting two fires in the city Tuesday.
Police say a fire that destroyed this vehicle and damaged the Otto Drive home is a case of arson. One person has been arrested and another is wanted in connection with the Tuesday morning fire. - Shane Magee/NNSL photo |
Johnny Junior Martin, 18, was arrested and charged with one count of arson with disregard for human life and one count of arson causing damage to property, according to an RCMP news release. As well, two charges of breaching an undertaking have been laid.
Steven Tsetta, 22, is wanted in connection with the same fires, police say. No description of Tsetta has been released.
Police alleged they started a fire that destroyed a vehicle and damaged the exterior of an Otto Drive home at about 6 a.m. Tuesday while a couple was inside the home. They were not injured and the home was not extensively damaged. The homeowner told Yellowknifer that a melted jerry can was found beside his vehicle.
"I think it's some pretty good action," Sandy Hamilton said Thursday about his reaction to the arrest announcement.
Firefighters were called to another fire at about 11 a.m. Tuesday near Copper Sky Condominiums at the end of School Draw Avenue where police say there was "an attempted arson."
Messages left with RCMP to clarify what was meant by an attempted arson were not returned by press time.
"We did not investigate that fire as it did not result in a loss - it was an unsuccessful arson attempt from our understanding," said NWT fire marshal Chucker Dewar.
Because of the criminal nature of both incidents, he said the RCMP are the lead investigative body with the fire marshal supporting as needed.
The news release did not elaborate on that statement and did not say whether any property was damaged.
Martin was held in custody and appeared in court Thursday morning.
He is expected to appear in court again today for a bail hearing.
RCMP state both investigations are ongoing.
Dewar said anyone who sees suspicious activity should report it to police.
