A serious blunder on the part of the suspects led to the arrest of two men for the targeted arson of a home on Kelly Road in Colwood on Friday, July 20.
It seems that the two suspects dropped the keys to their truck at some point while setting the fire and were forced to leave the truck at the scene of the crime.
One of the suspects then called police to report the truck stolen, apparently as an attempt to make it seem as though he had not been at the scene of the crime.
RCMP found evidence in the truck linking the owner to the crime, which led to the two men's arrest in Saanich.
"Sometimes you have some culprits actually leave evidence behind such as a wallet or certain things," Fossum said. "In that case you have a truck."
Fossum confirmed that the house was set up for the growing of medical marijuana, though no plants were in the house at the time of the fire and Fossum said that RCMP don't believe there’s a connection to the arson. Fossum said that the renter of the house is known to RCMP but would not elaborate.
RCMP did not reveal why the house had been targeted by the suspects. Their names are not being released until charges are finalized.
The two suspects are being charged with arson, and one of them with public mischief for reporting the truck as stolen.
kwells@goldstreamgazette.com