The Toronto Police Service is seeking the public’s assistance with a string of arson incidents. Last Friday, August 9, and Sunday, August 11, between 9 p.m. and 1:30 a.m., police responded to calls for fires at Dufferin Grove Park, in the Dovercourt Road and Dupont Street area, and the Spadina Avenue and Queens Quay West area.
News Release – Police Seek Assistance with Arson investigation, Public Safety Alerthttps://t.co/NBTQYQyBNN pic.twitter.com/Afbl8XamRM
— Toronto Police (@TorontoPolice) August 15, 2024
Police are reporting that on two separate occasions, a tent was set on fire in Dufferin Grove Park. On another occasion, a public garbage disposal unit was set on fire in the Spadina Avenue and Queens Quay area. In another incident, residential garbage cans were set on fire in the Dovercourt Road and Dupont Street area
No injuries were reported on any of these incidents and there is no suspect description at this time, but police are asking the public to check their dashcams or home camera systems for any footage that may assist investigators in identifying the suspect(s).
Toronto Police are also seeking public assistance in finding a man responsible for a separate arson incident that took place late last month.
News Release – Suspect Sought in Arson Investigation, The Leo Baeck Day School, Image Releasedhttps://t.co/y0XV4oqx80 pic.twitter.com/XfrzsCBHYF
— Toronto Police (@TorontoPolice) August 1, 2024
On Tuesday, July 30, police responded to a call shortly after 3:30 am for a fire at The Leo Baeck Day School in the Cedarvale neighborhood. Police reported that the suspect — later identified as Mark Anthony Dela-Cruz, 34 — was using an exterior storage shed at the school for shelter.
On July 29, the school noticed that Dela-Cruz was storing belongings in the shed and removed them. On July 30, at approximately 3:30 a.m., Dela-Cruz returned to the shed to find his belongings removed. He was then observed leaving the shed, and shortly after, a fire started, which led to damage to the shed and several of the school’s windows being broken. Police say Dela-Cruz is now wanted for arson.
Anyone with information about these incidents are asked to contact police at 416-808-1400, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477), or via www.222tips.com.
