York Regional Police released footage of a suspect believed to be connected to an arson and shooting at the same business earlier this year. The first incident happened on the morning of April 18. The business is located in the area of Islington Avenue and Kellam Street. Police said they were called to the area at around 9:45 a.m. when an employee reported the smell of gasoline when they arrived at work. Officers confirmed there was no fire and there were no injuries reported. In security footage shared by police on Wednesday, a lone suspect can be seen walking up the front steps of the business carrying a red jerrycan at around 6:30 a.m. The suspect can be seen appearing to throw something at the main doors before dousing the front porch with an accelerant. Then, the video appears to show the suspect throwing large rocks at the business’s windows before taking off from the scene. Police said it is not clear if the suspect tried to ignite the accelerant. The second incident happened a few days later, on April 22. Footage shows a suspect walking up to the main doors of the same business, at around 5:30 a.m., holding a jerrycan and a duffel bag. The suspect appears to discharge a firearm seven times at the front entrance before picking up the jerrycan and heading inside. The video then cuts roughly a minute later, to the suspect running down the front steps. Police said there was a small fire, that eventually went out on its own. There were no injuries reported from this incident. Officers said the front glass door was smashed when they arrived at the scene at 5:40 a.m., determining the business sustained gunfire damage. Investigators believe the same suspect was involved in both incidents. Police describe the suspect as a Black man who is approximately 40 years old. In the first incident, they say he was seen wearing a black fitted baseball cap with a gold sticker, a black hoodie and dark-coloured construction boots. In the second, police said the suspect is wearing a black mask, a purple hoodie, black pants and black shoots. The same suspect vehicle was seen in both instances, police said. It is described as a black minivan with tinted windows. Investigators are seeking more footage of the area at the time of each incident and are asking anyone with information to contact them. Tips can also be submitted anonymously through Crime Stoppers.
