Vancouver – Charges have been approved against a man who allegedly set a fire that shut down Nesters Market in the Downtown Eastside.
At 5:00 p.m., on March 30, a man walked into Nesters Market at 333 Abbott Street. He’s alleged to have taken some items from the shelves then started a fire before leaving the store.
District Five officers were very close by, saw the smoke and called for Vancouver Fire and Rescue Services. After speaking with store security, officers believed the fire was intentional and linked to the theft.
District Five officers tracked the suspect to a residence in Gastown where he was arrested.
Nesters Market, the only grocery store in the neighbourhood, remains closed due to smoke fire and water damage. The cost of the damage is estimated in the hundreds of thousands.
Victor Leslie Atkinson has been charged with arson and theft under $5000.
