A Hawkesville woman and two Kitchener men were arrested this week in connection with a fire that destroyed a Waterloo retail strip mall last spring.
Lyntje Zinger, 24, Daniel Campbell, 25, and William Schneider, 31, were charged with arson related to the Apr. 22, 2010 blaze at the Campus Court plaza, 140 University Ave. W. Damage was pegged at $4.5 million.
Waterloo Regional Police say other charges may be forthcoming.
“We believe we made some significant progress, but we have a lot of work left to do,” police spokesperson Olaf Heinzel said Wednesday of the ongoing investigation. “Others being charged is a real possibility.”
Both suspects were arrested Apr. 26, Campbell in Kitchener and Zinger in Waterloo. Schneider was arrested Thursday. Police have been investigating the fire since it was deemed a deliberate act in November by the Ontario Fire Marshal’s Office. Once arson was in the mix, the police took over from the fire investigators, examining the motive behind the incident, from a so-called firebug right through to financial gain.
“We need to look at why would someone do this? For what purpose or gain?” he said.
The early-morning fire destroyed several businesses, including Mel’s Diner, Tabu nightclub, Mr. Sushi, University Vision Centre and Sugar Mountain.
“For a lot of business owners there, this would have created a significant struggle,” said Heinzel of the hardships endured by the destruction of the plaza, which has yet to be rebuilt.
As this is an ongoing investigation, police are still looking for anyone with information to contact North Division detectives at 519-650-8500, ext. 3337 or Crime Stoppers 1-800-222-8477.
