Monday, May 11, 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

Canadians struggling with monthly mortgage

Canadians struggling with monthly mortgage
An Angus Reid poll suggests 15 per cent of Canadians are struggling with their monthly mortgage payments. That's up from eight per cent in March and 11 per cent in June.  

Canadians struggling with monthly mortgage

Canadian in Gaza says Israeli air strikes now relentless ahead of ground invasion

Canadian in Gaza says Israeli air strikes now relentless ahead of ground invasion
A Canadian man in Gaza says Israeli airstrikes that were previously heard roughly every hour can now be heard every few minutes as the Israel-Hamas war escalates. The sounds of explosions can be heard in the background as Shouman says he narrowly escaped an airstrike near the southern Gaza hospital complex where he has been taking shelter.

Canadian in Gaza says Israeli air strikes now relentless ahead of ground invasion

Poilievre says Trudeau soured India relations, cites Sikh 'aggression' toward envoys

Poilievre says Trudeau soured India relations, cites Sikh 'aggression' toward envoys
Trudeau announced in the House of Commons last month that Canadian intelligence services are investigating "credible" information about "a potential link" between India's government and the killing of Sikh leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar in British Columbia.

Poilievre says Trudeau soured India relations, cites Sikh 'aggression' toward envoys

1 in hospital in Burnaby crash

1 in hospital in Burnaby crash
Mounties in Burnaby are looking for witnesses or dash cam footage after a crash this weekend sent one person to the hospital. They say the crash happened around 3 a-m Sunday on Willingdon Avenue near Still Creek Drive, and involved a black Mercedes with three travellers and a red Hyundai SUV with two occupants.

1 in hospital in Burnaby crash

Environment Canada says first snowfall of the season expected in B.C.

Environment Canada says first snowfall of the season expected in B.C.
Drivers are being warned that some mountain passes in southeastern British Columbia are expected to get the first snowfall of the season this week. Environment Canada has issued a special weather statement, saying a slow-moving arctic front is expected in the Columbia and Kootenay region.

Environment Canada says first snowfall of the season expected in B.C.

Wine in select grocery stores

Wine in select grocery stores
Vancouver's city council has approved bylaw amendments to allow the sale of wine on shelves in certain grocery stores. Mayor Ken Sim says in a statement the decision will make shopping more convenient and support British Columbia's wine industry.

Wine in select grocery stores