Suspect charged in alleged arson at Nesters Market, Vancouver police say

Vancouver city council has backed a plan that supports a new training facility for the city’s police department. (CTV News)

Days after a destructive fire at a grocery store in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside, a suspect has been charged.

Victor Leslie Atkinson is facing counts of arson and theft under $5,000, the Vancouver Police Department announced Wednesday.

Authorities said a suspect walked into the Nesters Market on Abbott Street around 5 p.m. Monday, took some items off the shelves and ignited a fire in the store.

• Related: Man arrested after fire causes extensive damage to Vancouver grocery store

No one was injured in the blaze, but police noted the Nesters is the “only grocery store in the neighbourhood,” and remains closed days later due to extensive fire, smoke and water damage.

“The cost of the damage is estimated in the hundreds of thousands,” police added.

Earlier this week, Mayor Ken Sim said city staff have been in contact with Nesters Market representatives, and were told the company is “working hard to reopen as soon as possible.”

“We thank them for their continued service to the neighbourhood,” Sim said in a statement.

The fire erupted less than two months after London Drugs shuttered its location in the same Woodward’s Building complex, citing safety concerns from staff and losses due to theft.

The VPD plans to open a training academy in the retail space that was vacated by London Drugs.

• Related: VPD lease of former London Drugs property means tax revenue loss for Vancouver

There are numerous court files under the name Victor Leslie Atkinson dating back to the year 2000, with offences across several B.C. communities.

The charges include possession for the purpose of trafficking and several counts of breach of probation and theft under $5,000.

With files from CTV News Vancouver’s Todd Coyne