Suspect’s pants catch fire in botched arson attempt: BC RCMP

RICHMOND, BC — Metro Vancouver police say they are looking for a man whose pants caught fire in an alleged arson attempt gone wrong.

Richmond RCMP shared a photo showing two men, one on the ground with a pained facial expression as he reaches for his burning pants, while the other man appears to be trying to put out the flames.

Police say officers responded to an alarm at a business on April 24, finding a broken window and a small fire right out front with evidence that it was set intentionally.

They say surveillance video later revealed two men wearing masks approached the business and one of the suspect’s pants caught fire in the incident.

Troopers say “the pants continued to burn” despite the suspects’ efforts to put out the flames, and the mask worn by the man on the ground came off in the struggle.

Police say there is a “high likelihood” he suffered injuries to his lower body, and he is described as a white male in his 40s to 50s, of medium build with long, slicked-back dirty blonde hair.

The second suspect is described as being between 20 and 30 years old, with a medium to tan complexion and an athletic build.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published on July 3, 2024.

The Canadian Press