Penticton police catch arsonist red-handed

Penticton RCMP were at the right place at the right time when a fire broke out near the Channel Parkway yesterday.

RCMP say an officer saw a plume of smoke rising from an open area near the Channel Parkway and Highway 97 at the south end of Penticton yesterday, Sept. 2.

On approaching the scene, the officer spotted a man on a dirt bike near the blaze, but after activating lights and sirens, the man sped off at high speed, according to an RCMP media release.

A second officer intercepted the man and he was taken into custody.

The fire was extinguished by members of the Penticton Indian Band and City of Penticton fire departments.

No injuries or damage was reported.

"The motorcyclist taken into custody faces a charge of flight from police, and is also being investigated for this suspected arson. Investigators are reaching out to the public for any witnesses, and encourages them to contact the Penticton RCMP at 250-492-4300,” Penticton RCMP spokesperson Const. James Grandy says in the release.

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