Police have arrested and charged Roshvin Crofton, 24, (pictured) in relation to a fire fire set outside the home of Scarborough-Centre MP Salma Zahid’s home. Photo courtesy of Toronto Police Service
A suspect previously charged in connection with an arson at a Toronto-area MP’s home this summer has been arrested again after a house east of the city was destroyed in a fire that also damaged surrounding residences, police say.
The 24-year-old Ajax man, who had been charged in an arson at the home of Liberal MP Salma Zahid in August, is now facing 14 new charges following a blaze at an unoccupied Oshawa home, the Toronto Police Service has confirmed.
Durham Regional Police Service officers responded to reports of a blaze during the early morning hours of Aug. 24 near Rossland Road West and Church Street North in Oshawa.
An unoccupied home was destroyed and neighbouring homes also “suffered significant damage,” Toronto police said in a press release.
Investigators reported that one of the nearby homes that experienced damage was occupied at the time but all of the residents managed to get out safely.
“Multiple other homes were doused in an accelerant but did not ignite,” police said.
Toronto police said a joint investigation with Durham police resulted in the identification of a suspect.
Roshvin Crofton of Ajax was arrested on Sept. 28 and faces one count each of attempted arson and arson or explosion, disregard for human life, as well as 12 other charges including break and enter, possession of property obtained by crime, and mischief damage to property.
Crofton was also charged with breach of probation.
The fire in Oshawa occurred just two days before Zahid’s home was targeted. Multiple cars at the Scarborough Centre-Don Valley East MP’s residence were set ablaze during the early morning hours of Aug. 27.
Police said a suspect doused several vehicles outside Zahid’s home with an accelerant and set two on fire. A third vehicle was also damaged in the blaze.
Surveillance footage released on Aug. 28 showed an individual in a mask and black hooded sweater, black gloves, and running shoes. The suspect fled the scene in a vehicle, police said.
Crofton was arrested on Aug. 30 in connection with the investigation and was charged with arson causing damage to property, mischief over $5,000, conspiracy to commit an indictable offence, possession of incendiary material, and failure to comply with a probation order.
Police have not released a possible motive for the alleged arson but said a second suspect wanted in that incident remains at-large.
The charges Crofton faces in both arson cases have not been tested in court.
Anyone with information about either case is asked to contact Toronto police or Crime Stoppers.
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