16
January
2023
|
14:23
America/New_York

Arsonist Arrested after Fire at Place of Worship

Hamilton Police have arrested a 49-year-old male after he attempted to set fire to St Paul’s Presbyterian Church located at 70 James St South Hamilton.  The Church, part of the Hamilton Community since 1833, is a federally designated National Historic Site.

On December 31, 2022, at approximately 4:15 p.m. Hamilton Fire and Hamilton Police responded to a fire alarm call.  On scene, police and partners located incendiary material and evidence of an arson.    

Leslie Cleave, of no fixed address, has been charged with the following:

  • Arson - Disregard for Human Life
  • Possession Incendiary Material
  • Fail to Comply Probation Adult
  • Fail to Comply with Release Order

If you have any information that you believe could assist police with the investigation into this crime, you are asked to contact Detective Constable Shaun Fennessy by calling 905-540-3819.

To provide information anonymously call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or submit your anonymous tips online at http://www.crimestoppershamilton.com