Calgary Police seek public help in church arson
Calgary Police are investigating a fire that is believed to have been intentionally set to a church in the city’s northeast last month.
At approximately 8:15 p.m., on Sunday, April 21, 2024, it is believed a man entered the east parking lot of Mary, Mother of the Redeemer Roman Catholic Parish, located at 1714 14 Avenue N.E., and set a nativity display on fire, before fleeing the scene on foot.
The Calgary Fire Department attended and extinguished the fire quickly, however the church sustained minor damage.
We are now asking for the public’s help to locate the man believed to be responsible.
The man is described as being between 20 and 40 years old, approximately 6’ tall, with a heavy build. He was last seen wearing a neon-yellow hoodie, black gloves, grey sweatpants, black running shoes and was carrying a black backpack.
The man was last seen heading west on 14 Avenue N.E., and then south into an alley between 16 Street N.E. and 16A Street N.E.
Calgary Police are asking anyone who lives in the community of Mayland Heights and may have CCTV footage of walkways and alleyways on Sunday, April 21, 2024, from approximately 6 to 9 p.m., to contact police.
Calgary Police Arson Unit and Hate Crime Prevention Team are currently investigating this incident. At this time, it is not clear what motivated the arson.
A hate crime is a criminal offence committed against a person or property, which is motivated in whole or part by the suspect’s hate, bias or prejudice towards an identifiable group. Any evidence of hate-motivation is considered by the courts after a person is found guilty of the connected crime. If the judge decides during sentencing that hate was a motivation for the offence, it is an aggravating factor that can add to the convicted person’s sentence.
Anyone with information about this incident or the identity of the man is asked to contact police by calling 403-266-1234. Tips can also be submitted anonymously to Crime Stoppers through any of the following methods:
TALK: 1-800-222-8477
TYPE: www.calgarycrimestoppers.org
APP: P3 Tips
CA24157873/3940
