DIGBY, N.S. – The Digby RCMP have arrested four people in connection with recent arsons that occurred in Digby County. The arrests are related to fires that were set to abandoned buildings earlier this month, and a grass fire in July.
According to a media release issue Saturday morning, on Sept. 14, RCMP arrested a 17-year-old male youth from Doucetteville and 20-year-old Andrew Wayne Gosson of Plympton Station for arson. This was in relation to a fire at a building on Doucetteville Rd. earlier that same evening.
Subsequent investigation determined that the 17-year-old and another man, 22-year-old Blake Joseph Potter from Plympton, intentionally set another structure fire in Doucetteville on Sept. 1. Potter was arrested on Sept. 17.
The RCMP says that officers then determined that 21-year-old Ryan James Robicheau of Plympton was responsible for lighting a grass fire in Plympton Station on July 8. He was arrested on Sept. 20.
Gosson, Potter and Robicheau were released from police custody on conditions and are scheduled to appear in Digby Provincial Court on Dec. 10. The youth was also released and is scheduled to appear in Digby Youth Justice Court on Sept. 24.
There has been no reference made to any other charges, other than the arson charges that have been laid.
NOTE TO READERS: MORE TO COME ON THIS STORY
The RCMP was assisted by the Nova Scotia Office of the Fire Marshal with these investigations.
Asked what triggers suspected arson investigations, RCMP Corporal Andrew Joyce says, "I guess the fire investigators, to each fire that you go to, you look at it and say did it naturally occur or was it an arson... We have choices, was it a criminal act or was it not a criminal act in any type of fire. In these cases I guess they were determined to be criminal acts, being an arson, and for that reason it generated an investigation."
Police continue to investigate several fires that they feel have been intentionally set. Asked if these fires are more recent fires around the same timeframe, or whether they are more dated fires, Cpl. Joyce said, "I think what I'm prepared to say is the geographical area is the commonality."
Anyone with information on this incident is asked to contact Digby RCMP at 902-245-2579. Please quote File# 20181384308. Should you wish to remain anonymous call Nova Scotia Crime Stoppers toll free at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), submit a secure web tip at www.crimestoppers.ns.ca, or use the P3 Tips App.
The Tri-County Vanguard made several attempts to speak with the fire chief or a representative of the local fire department since the charges were laid but have been unsuccessful.
UPDATE:
The Tri-County Vanguard recieved information on the individuals accused from Digby Provincial Courthouse.
Ryan James Robicheau intentionally or recklessly caused damage by fire to grass and woodland at 822 French Road, Plympton Sation, Nova Scotia contrary to section 434 of the criminal code.
On Sept. 14, Andrew Wayne Gosson intentionally or recklessly caused damage by fire to an abandon garage at 3870 Doucetteville Road, Doucetteville, Nova Scotia contrary to Section 434 of the criminal code.
On Sept. 1, Blake Joseph Potter intentionally or recklessly caused damage by fire to a barn at 738 Doucetteville Road, Doucetteville, Nova Scotia contrary to Section 434 of the criminal code.
