Police seek suspect in central Hamilton church arsons

Police are looking for a suspect in connection with a series of arsons at a central Hamilton church last week.

A male suspect was captured on video spray painting the exterior of the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses at 57 Delaware Ave. on Aug. 4 around 10:30 p.m., police said in a release.

The suspect was then seen on camera setting fire to an exterior doorway at the rear of the building and fleeing on foot, police said. He was carrying a black reusable bag with white lettering.

The next day at 9:30 p.m., there was a second fire at the same location. This time, the suspect could be seen on video setting fire to the front entrance of the building and fleeing, police said. In the Aug. 5 incident, the suspect was seen carrying a yellow shopping bag with black lettering.

The male suspect is described as having light skin, and medium height and weight, with a clean shave. He was wearing a black hooded sweatshirt with a Hockey Canada emblem, dark pants and dark shoes.

Hamilton police urge anyone with informationto contact Acting Det. Sgt. George Gallant at 905-540-5085 or Det. Const. Shaun Fennessy at 905-540-3819.

To provide information anonymously call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or submit a tip online at http://www.crimestoppershamilton.com.

Ritika Dubey is a reporter at The Spectator. rdubey@thespec.com