A 25-year-old Hamilton man has been charged with Arson, Carry Concealed Weapon and two counts of Assault Peace Officer with a Weapon after an arrest over the weekend.

On Saturday, August 21, 2021, at approximately 10:00 p.m., Hamilton Police started receiving numerous 9-1-1 calls reporting various garbage cans that were engulfed in flames. A number of citizens provided police with a description of the male believed to be setting the fires at multiple locations.

Two officers were dispatched to James Street North and Barton Street. Upon arrival in an alley west of the location, the officers observed a male matching the description provided in the arsons. The male immediately started running east in the alley while Police continuously asked the male to stop and that he was under arrest for arson. The male ignored the officers’ demands.

Police caught up with the male and as the two officers began to take control of the male, he pulled out a long metal pole he had in his possession. The male began to repeatedly strike the officers with the metal pole.

During this altercation the male attempted to reach for his waist bandseveral times before the officers took control of the male and effected the arrest. Once handcuffed and searched, the male was found to have had a three inch knife with a black handle tied around his waist.

The officers were treated for their injuries, which thankfully proved to be minor.

Hamilton Police Service would like to thank the public for their continued support. Although an incident of this nature causes us all to pause and reflect, we are confident our officers will continue to demonstrate professionalism and commitment to the safety of all Hamilton citizens.

We continue to investigate the series of arsons and are appealing for anyone with video surveillance or information that have yet to come forward, to contact police.

If you have any information that you believe could assist Police with the investigation into this crime, you are asked to call at 905-546-4925.

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