Two separate fires in two south-central neighborhoods in Edmonton are currently being investigated as instances of arson where extortion notes were left at the scene.
The first of the fires occured on Sept 23, shortly after 5 a.m whek police were notified of a vehicle being set on fire near 77 STreet and 95th Avenue in the Holyrood neighborhood.
A handwritten note was found on scene by police and demanded a Bitcoin money transfer when the investigation first began. No injuries were reported in the incident.
Then, subsequently a second blaze occurred this past Sunday when Edmonton Fire and Rescue Services were called to a scene near the Cloverdale neighborhood.
According to EFRS, a home in the area of 95 Street and 97th Avenue was deliberately set on fire at approximately 3:30 a.m.
Four residents managed to escape the home without injury.
Edmonton police are hopeful that someone will come forward with information or door camera footage from the related time frames.
Det. Sean Thorimbert with the EPS southwest investigative response team. “At this time, it is unknown if these two incidents are directly related.”
“We are hopeful that members of these impacted communities will be able to provide information that will assist with our efforts to identify anyone who might be responsible for these fires.
“While our investigations remain ongoing, we encourage residents to stay vigilant and mindful of unusual activity in their neighbourhoods.”
Similar instances of Bitcoin arson extortion have appeared across the United States.
Anyone with information on the suspicious fires is asked to contact the EPS at 780-423-4567 or #377 from a mobile phone.
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