Winnipeg man charged with 21 counts of arson

A Winnipeg man is facing charges in connection with 21 vehicle arsons throughout the city over the last month.

Shawn Robert Hall, 27, was detained in custody for 21 counts of both arson causing damage to property and possession of incendiary material on Monday.

He allegedly set fire to almost two dozen vehicles in the St. James–Assiniboia and Assiniboine South neighbourhoods in a three-week span.

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Const. Jay Murray of the Winnipeg Police Service said while a motive isn’t yet known, the crimes were unusual.

“We may not ever truly know why somebody would set fire to these vehicles,” Const. Murray said. “It’s definitely concerning.”

The damage varied from vehicle to vehicle, but in total, will cost well over $100,000.

“Every time a vehicle was set on fire, there was usually a flammable material that held against the vehicle or stuffed against the vehicle and set on fire,” Const. Murray said Sunday. “In some situations, this would cause just a minor amount of damage, but in other situations, this would cause a total write-off of the vehicle.”

The string of arsons started on Aug. 13 when a hatchback near Portage Avenue and Woodbridge Road was damaged.