The Saskatchewan RCMP arrested and charged a firefighter in relation to a hay bale and grass fire that occurred on July 31.
On Monday, police announced that they apprehended 25-year-old Logan Sieben and charged him with one count of arson causing mischief, one count of arson with intent to defraud and one count of theft under $5,000.
Sieben is expected to appear at a provincial court in November.
“Within the last month we responded to over 15 reports of deliberately set hay bale and grass fires,” said Unity RCMP Cpl. Christopher Neufeld.
“These fires resulted in property loss and greatly impacted our local farmers.”
Locals banded together to offer a reward after a string of grass and bale fires impacted the community.
Macklin Fire Department Chief Justin Bast confirmed on social media that the suspect was a working firefighter.
“It is with profound sadness that we report this individual was a member of the fire department,” wrote Bast.
“We deeply apologize to the public and hope that you understand that this rash of incidents, due to one individual’s actions, in no way represents the Macklin fire department, its members or what we stand for.”
According to the police, the reward remained unclaimed and has been returned back to the community.
Police made the arrest following an investigation and relied on internal leads to identify the suspect.
