The Campbell River RCMP have one male in custody as a result of the ongoing investigation into the arson and theft that occurred at the Campbell River Walmart on October 1st, 2020.
A 27-year-old local male remains in police custody as the extensive investigation continues. Charges will be sought for:
- Arson / Disregard for Human Life
- Theft over $5000
- Mischief over $5000
The maximum sentence for Arson is life imprisonment and sentences for Theft and Mischief each carry a maximum ten-year sentence.
Stolen in the heist were thousands of dollars of consumer electronics such as phones and Ipads. The public is being warned to avoid any “too good to be true” prices for electronics. It’s very buyer beware, as items that are stolen can be disabled by the manufacturer when they are brought online.
This was and continues to be a group effort for our detachment,
said Inspector Jeff Preston. The professionalism and skill with which our officers have conducted this investigation have provided the opportunity to hold the correct person accountable.
The small blaze which ended up creating damages in the millions of dollars has temporarily shuttered one of the largest retailers in Campbell River for the Thanksgiving long weekend and there is no set reopening date at this time.
A spokesperson for Walmart stated We’re doing everything we can to re-open the store… We need to ensure the store is safe and up to the standards Campbell River customers expect.
If you wish to report a crime, please contact the Campbell River RCMP at 250-286-6221, in an emergency please call 911.
