Man charged with arson in multiple fires at Winnipeg restaurants, constituency offices
CBC
A 35-year-old man has been arrested after police say he was responsible for multiple arsons in Winnipeg, including fires at the constituency offices of two Manitoba cabinet ministers and several restaurants.Jesse Robert Shawn Wheatland is facing a total of 22 charges related to arson, break-ins and damage at 11 different locations between June 11 and Tuesday, when he was arrested, police said at a Wednesday afternoon news conference.
That includes fires at the constituency offices of Families Minister Nahanni Fontaine and Homelessness and Addictions Minister Bernadette Smith.
He's also been charged with offences at the Winnipeg School Division administration building on Wall Street and a provincial treatment centre on Magnus Avenue.
Wheatland has also been charged in connection with offences at the Exchange Event centre and six other businesses in the Exchange District and downtown areas: Commonwealth Kitchen & Bar, Johnny G's, the Palomino Club, Boujee Restaurant, La Roca and Tipsy Cow.
Police said in some cases, the locations were damaged by arson. In others, Wheatland is accused of breaking and entering or causing damage to the property.
He was arrested Tuesday evening in the 100 block of Magnus Avenue, where the treatment centre is located. Police allege he set a fire there shortly before he was arrested, though he was not arrested at the scene itself.
Insp. Jennifer McKinnon said at Wednesday's news conference the extensive investigation took a toll on police officers and Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service investigators.
"The longer it goes, the more weighs on them. So coming to a conclusion, I think, is exciting, but also a relief," she said.
"It's also not lost to us that we feel this is going to give the community a sense of relief from probably what they've been feeling and experiencing through the summer."
Wheatland has been charged with 13 counts of arson causing damage to property and one count of arson with disregard for human life.
He's also facing two counts of breaking and entering to commit arson, and two counts of breaking and entering with intent, along with four counts of mischief under $5,000.
Police said they believe Wheatland acted alone. The case is not believed to be related to previously reported extortion incidents, according to police.
CBC News previously reported on fires at seven of the locations police listed, starting with a fire at Commonwealth Kitchen & Bar in July and up to a fire at La Roca last week.
Police said some of the arson locations were hit multiple times.
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