MAN FACES MORE CHARGES AFTER SERIES OF COMMUNICATIONS TOWER FIRES

(July 29th)

The Royal Newfoundland Constabulary (RNC) has laid additional charges against a 30-year-old man as its investigation into a series of suspicious fires targeting communications infrastructure across St. John’s continues.

On Wednesday, July 29th, police announced that Patrick Greer, 30, has been charged with two additional counts of arson in connection with fires that occurred on July 18th. He has also been charged with mischief over $5,000, mischief under $5,000, and three counts of break and enter. Greer is scheduled to appear in court today.

The latest charges relate to two of several suspicious fires reported between July 18th and July 21th that targeted utility pole lines and communications towers throughout the St. John’s region.

The investigation began on July 18th, when officers and firefighters responded at approximately 11:05 a.m. to a fire involving a utility pole in the pole line area off Linegar Avenue in Shea Heights. About 1:30 p.m., crews responded to a second fire inside a secured communications tower site off Blackhead Road in Shea Heights. Both incidents resulted in property damage.

Later that afternoon, at approximately 3:45 p.m., another suspicious fire was reported on Southside Road near the Pitts Memorial Drive overpass. This fire has consumed nearby debris, brush and a pole.

The following day, July 19th, emergency crews responded to a fourth fire at approximately 5:25 p.m. on George’s Pond Road near the Team Gushue Highway. A fifth fire was reported later that night, around 11:40 p.m., in a wooded area off Old Pennywell Road.

The fires prompted the RNC’s General Investigation Unit to launch an extensive investigation. Police said investigators believed the fires were deliberately targeting communications towers and pole line infrastructure and appealed for CCTV, dash camera and cellphone footage captured within one hour before or after each incident.

The series of incidents continued on July 20th, when firefighters with the St. John’s Regional Fire Department and RNC officers responded shortly after 7:15 p.m. to a fire at the Bell Mobility communications tower on Nagle’s Place.

Firefighters arrived to find a service structure fully involved in fire. Additional resources, including support vehicles, a rescue unit and another engine, were called to assist. The blaze was quickly brought under control, but an SJRFD Platoon Chief confirmed the fire caused significant damage to communications infrastructure. Cell service in the area was reportedly affected as surrounding towers absorbed the additional demand. No injuries were reported.

The RNC deployed patrol officers, members of the Criminal Investigations Division, Police Dog Services, a police drone and a police service dog to assist with the investigation.

The following day, July 21th, officers responded to suspicious activity at a radio tower on Densmore’s Lane, where they located evidence of another recent fire that had extinguished before firefighters were required. Investigators determined the fire had also occurred on July 20th.

Following those incidents, Greer was arrested and initially charged with two counts of arson and two counts of mischief causing property damage in connection with the July 20 fires.

With the latest charges announced Wednesday, Greer now faces allegations connected to both the July 18 and July 20 incidents.

The investigation into other related fires targeting communications towers and pole lines remains ongoing.

Earlier in the month, on July 15th, firefighters also responded to a commercial fire at the Bell Aliant Building on Duckworth Street after multiple emergency calls reported smoke and flames coming from the roof. The fire, which occurred beneath three cellular towers, caused extensive damage to Bell equipment and moderate damage to the building. No injuries were reported.

Anyone with information related to the communications infrastructure fires is asked to contact the RNC at 709-729-8000. Anyone witnessing a fire in progress should call 911 immediately.