‘I should have known better’: Paris man apologizes for role in Walmart fires in Kitchener, Waterloo

KITCHENER - The sentencing hearing for a man who was involved in setting fires at three Waterloo Region Walmart stores will be held later this month.

On Friday morning, Ramlengum Permauloo of Paris, Ont., attended the Kitchener courthouse and heard Crown and defence attorneys argue over what sentence he should be given for his role in the fires.

The 22-year-old has pleaded guilty to arson for fires that were set at three stores within an hour on the night of Oct. 20, 2020. They were set in the toilet paper and paper towel sections at stores in the Sunrise Shopping Centre and Stanley Park Mall, both in Kitchener, and Bridgeport Plaza in Waterloo.

Defence councillor Stephen Proudlove described Permauloo's role as someone who was a party to the arsons. He did not put flame to fuel," but rather, he was along for the ride."

Of course, he was the driver," Proudlove said. The court heard Permauloo drove the youth who was convicted earlier this week to each of the stores that night.

The youth, who also pleaded guilty, received a 15-month sentence on top of the equivalent of 19 months of presentence custody.

Proudlove described the Permauloo's actions as very immature," and very stupid," but argued most of the blame should be placed on the youth who has already been sentenced.

Mr. Permauloo is not the face of the Walmart arsonist that perhaps the community is seeking to see," he said, recommending a conditional sentence for his client, to be served in the community.

Crown prosecutor Simon McNaughton argued that anything less than two years in prison would be unfit for this crime.

Even if he didn't light the fires himself, in driving his accomplice around to each of the stores, he knew what was happening," McNaughton said.

Destruction and mayhem is what was caused here."

Speaking to the court during the virtual hearing, Permauloo said he was sorry and regrets taking part in what happened.

I know I've caused a lot of chaos in the community, and I do take responsibility for my actions," he said. It was really stupid. I should have known better."

Two victim impact statements were presented to the court: one from the Kitchener Fire Department and one from Walmart.

Tim Vanderveen speaking on behalf of Walmart said the inventory loss between the three stores totalled $14.5 million, and the repair costs totalled around $10.7 million. The stores were closed for periods of 24 to 31 days after the fires.

It was a traumatic experience and a stressful time for everyone involved," he said.

Justice Dominique Kennedy said she would take some time to consider everything that had been presented and return to deliver a sentence on April 19 at noon.

Chris Seto is a Waterloo Region-based reporter for The Record. Reach him via email: cseto@therecord.com