Arson suspect whose pants caught fire is being sought by BC RCMP

RCMP are seeking to identify two arson suspects, including one whose pants caught fire when he allegedly tried to set fire to an item at a Richmond business in April.

On April 24, Richmond RCMP were called to a business in the 2600 block of Simpson Road after an alarm went off, according to a news release issued Wednesday (July 3). When officers arrived, they found a broken window and a small fire just outside.

Police say there is evidence the fire was started intentionally.

CCTV showed that two masked men approached the business on foot, then smashed a window and set an object on fire.

However, as the two suspects were lighting the fire, one of the suspects’ pants caught fire and “despite the efforts of both suspects, the pants continued to burn.” During this time, his mask fell off.

The suspect is described as a white male, 40 to 50 years old, of average build, with long, dirty, slicked-back blond hair. He was wearing a long-sleeved shirt and beige or brown “charred” pants.

Richmond RCMP Media Relations Officer Cpl. Adriana O’Malley said due to the nature of the fire, “there is a high probability that this suspect sustained lower body injuries.”

The second suspect is described as tan or medium skin tone, in his 20s to 30s, with an athletic build. He was wearing a dark-colored balaclava, dark-colored sweatpants with blue stripes on the sides, dark-colored gloves, a hoodie and Nike Jordan high-top sneakers.

Police say both suspects left the area on foot. One headed north on Simpson Road, while the other headed east along the railroad tracks.