Police have released footage of a person of interest in relation to an arson investigation involving an animal in downtown Orillia.
On Monday at 5 p.m., Orillia OPP and Orillia firefighters responded to the intersection of Colborne and West streets for “an animal complaint,” police said in a news release.
“Upon arrival, an accelerant was discovered and, sadly, the animal that was the subject of the complaint had become deceased.”
On Thursday, police received video footage of a person of interest leaving the area at about 4:50 p.m. He is described as a white male wearing black pants, a black sweater, a black baseball hat and white shoes, and carrying a backpack.
#OrilliaOPP is seeking the public's assistance in an arson investigation following an animal complaint on Sept 16 at Colborne St E & West St S in the @cityoforillia. Police are urging anyone with info to contact the OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or @CrimeSDM at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) ^gd pic.twitter.com/tg9j5yWWUL
— OPP Central Region (@OPP_CR) September 20, 2024
Before the incident occurred, he was seen on the south side of Colborne Street, crossing north at the crosswalk before walking diagonally through a gas station parking lot and disappearing behind a building. Moments later, he emerged from the location where the incident occurred.
Anyone with information is asked to call OPP at 1-888-310-1122. Information can be provided anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or crimestopperssdm.com.
