Police arrest teen after alleged arson at Montreal eatery
The suspect was arrested in the southwestern Montreal borough of LaSalle and appeared in Quebec Youth Court on Monday on charges of arson, possession of incendiary materials, break and enter with intent and possession and use of explosives.
Montreal police have arrested a 15-year-old boy in connection with an alleged arson attack on a restaurant in the city’s east end last weekend.
The arrest took place in the LaSalle borough, southwest Montreal, and the suspect appeared in Quebec Youth Court on Monday, facing charges of arson, possession of incendiary materials, break and enter with intent, as well as possession and use of explosives.
The fire was reported around 3:35 a.m. on Sunday after a 911 call alerted authorities to a window being smashed and an incendiary device found inside the building, causing minor damage.
This same business in the St-Léonard borough was also targeted in an arson attack earlier on September 20, though police have not yet discussed the motive behind the incidents.
Montreal police chief Fady Dagher, in several media interviews on Monday, linked the recent wave of fire-bombings and arson in the city to extortion efforts by street gangs aiming to take control from traditional organized crime groups.
Dagher is urging targeted businesses, bars, and restaurants to come forward and file complaints.
