A 32-year-old Peterborough woman is facing arson charges after a series of five garbage bin fires in the downtown area overnight on Monday (April 29).
At around 11:30 p.m., Peterborough police began to receive calls to assist the Peterborough Fire Department with multiple fires in garbage bins — all within a short time frame and in proximity to one another.
Fires were set in two garbage bins in Millennium Park and in garbage bins at George Street North and King Street, Charlotte Street and Aylmer Street, and George Street North near Sherbrooke Street.
Police reviewed footage from the closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras that were installed at 12 locations in downtown Peterborough last summer and obtained a description of the suspect.
Officers canvassing the area located a woman on a bike in the Reid Street and Simcoe Street area who matched the suspect’s description.
As a result of the police investigation, a 32-year-old Peterborough woman was arrested and charged with five counts of arson causing damage to property.
“The footage from the CCTV program cameras was instrumental in allowing officers to get a description and make an arrest in this case,” reads a police media release.
The accused woman is being held in policy custody for a court appearance on Tuesday.
