Saturday, May 9, 2026
ADVT 
National

Vancouver Police release video showing suspect in synagogue arson

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 26 Jun, 2024 11:38 AM
  • Vancouver Police release video showing suspect in synagogue arson

Police in Vancouver have released video showing a man who is believed to have set fire to the front entrance of a synagogue last month in the hope that someone may recognize the suspect. 

The security video shows a man wearing a dark jacket, light ball cap and a medical face mask approaching the front steps of the Schara Tzedeck synagogue on Vancouver's Oak Street on May 30 with a time stamp of 9:41 p.m. 

The man is carrying a clear bottle with liquid inside, and he unscrews the cap before disappearing from the frame. 

Less than a minute later, there is a bright flash and the video shows the man walking quickly down the synagogue stairs and onto the street.

A second video shows the front entrance from a different angle as orange flames spark and then flare up as the man walks away.

The police statement says investigators are looking to speak with anyone who might recognize the suspect in the video, as well as the driver of a beige or silver minivan that was seen in the area at the time of the fire.

Rabbi Andrew Rosenblatt has said people were inside the synagogue after services that same night, when they heard a "bang" outside.

But he said it was a passerby who alerted them that their building was on fire, before a member of the congregation put out the flames with his jacket.

MORE National ARTICLES

Biden, Xi early headliners as leaders gather in California for Asia-Pacific summit

Biden, Xi early headliners as leaders gather in California for Asia-Pacific summit
Its 21 member economies represent nearly three billion people and 62 per cent of the world's GDP, generating US$30 trillion in global trade last year alone.  But as Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation leaders gather in San Francisco, the focus — for now, at least — will be on just two of them.

Biden, Xi early headliners as leaders gather in California for Asia-Pacific summit

Drowning victim's body found on Island

Drowning victim's body found on Island
Mounties on Vancouver Island say they have recovered the body of a drowning victim in Sproat Lake – 13 kilometres northwest of Port Alberni. The update comes two days after R-C-M-P were called to the lake for reports of a missing 17-year-old after a canoe he and two others were on capsized and sank.  

Drowning victim's body found on Island

PM Justin Trudeau visits Maple Ridge

PM Justin Trudeau visits Maple Ridge
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is visiting Maple Ridge this afternoon. The prime minister and B-C Premier David Eby are scheduled to make an announcement at a clean-energy plant.

PM Justin Trudeau visits Maple Ridge

Food insecurity worsened last year, more pronounced in racialized families: StatCan

Food insecurity worsened last year, more pronounced in racialized families: StatCan
A Statistics Canada study says nearly seven million Canadians struggled with hunger last year. The study says that in 2022, 18 per cent of families reported experiencing food insecurity within the previous 12 months, up from 16 per cent in 2021.  

Food insecurity worsened last year, more pronounced in racialized families: StatCan

Canada's Joly criticizes lack of fuel in Gaza, warns that UN may have to pause aid

Canada's Joly criticizes lack of fuel in Gaza, warns that UN may have to pause aid
Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly says it is not acceptable that United Nations work to support Palestinian civilians will end before Wednesday night due to a lack of fuel. She says civilians must be protected and enough food, fuel and water must get into Gaza so that the UN's life-saving work can continue.

Canada's Joly criticizes lack of fuel in Gaza, warns that UN may have to pause aid

Wanted sex offender Randall Hopley arrested in Vancouver, police say

Wanted sex offender Randall Hopley arrested in Vancouver, police say
Police say high-risk sex offender Randall Hopley has been arrested in Vancouver. A statement from police says Hopley was picked up at about 6 a.m. on the city's Downtown Eastside and he is in custody.

Wanted sex offender Randall Hopley arrested in Vancouver, police say