source Canoe
Boy, 10, accused in 32 arsonsBy CHRIS KITCHING, SUN MEDIAThe Winnipeg SunAs authorities prepare for a seasonal peak in firebug activity, city police have apprehended a 10-year-old boy who they believe set 32 fires during a six-month spree of terror.
Among the most serious crimes, the boy allegedly broke into a Burrows Avenue house and set it on fire Saturday, and firebombed a house in the 500 block of Aberdeen Avenue on March 27, causing minimal damage, police said.
"The seriousness of some of these things is mind-blowing," said arson strike force Det.-Sgt. Derrick Todoruk.
Officers arrested the boy Sunday, but their hands are tied because he is too young to be charged.
They cautioned him for more than 40 offences, released him to a guardian, and referred him to Winnipeg Fire Department's youth fire stop program.
It's not the first time. Todoruk said the boy set two garages on fire last fall. It was unclear if the boy completed a prevention program.
What made police nervous this time is the boy planned to set more fires and vandalize more property, Todoruk said.
"We hope some sort of help comes his way and this stops. He's only 10 and let's hope this isn't just the beginning," Todoruk said.
The boy also set garbage bins ablaze, smashed car windows, and made five bogus 911 calls about people being shot or stabbed.
"He was taking cruiser cars off legitimate high-priority calls to go to these fake calls," Todoruk said.
April usually kickstarts a busy period of arsons, mostly to garbage bins. Five were set ablaze early yesterday.
Many offenders are kids who don't stop until they are caught. Some are caught in a personal or family crisis, said Marc Proulx of the Winnipeg Fire Department's prevention branch.
"(For them) fire-setting is a symptom of another problem. It's a cry for help," Proulx said, adding parents or guardians should keep lighters and matches out of reach.
Police are urging people to report fires immediately and any suspicious activity.
"The public is still the key in all of this. The area itself has to remain vigilant," Todoruk said.
