Woman arrested for apparent arson in downtown Nanaimo

After confronting the woman, Shaw followed her down Gordon St. to the back side of the Vancouver Island Conference Centre while he was on the line with a 911 operator.

He said it appeared she was trying to light another fire in the bushes adjacent to the conference centre.

“I was still on the phone with police, then directed them when they came to where she was, and they arrested her,” Shaw said.

Shaw stated he was previously confronted by the same woman, who he’s seen throwing garbage on the street and pulling out flowers.

He said having people clearly unwell roaming the streets is a concern for everybody’s safety.

“It could be even deadly circumstances if people light a building on fire,” he added.

Nanaimo RCMP Res. Cst. Gary O’Brien confirmed Shaw’s account, saying officers quickly apprehended the woman on Museum Way.

“She was arrested for arson and was actively resisting (arrest) and appeared to be intoxicated,” O’Brien said.

She was slated to be released later Thursday and has not yet been formally charged.

While the background and circumstances of the accused are unknown, the apparent erratic, senseless conduct during tinder-dry conditions took place the same week the B.C. government announced an expanded Chronic Property Offending Intervention Initiative (C-POII).

The program, launched in Nanaimo late last year, monitors known repeat offenders for shoplifting, vandalism and mischief, intended to disrupt the cycle of offending.

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by Ian Holmes

Woman arrested for apparent arson in downtown Nanaimo

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