New-Wes-Valley, Newfoundland and Labrador – Following an investigation into a suspicious cabin fire that occurred near Indian Bay on March 10, 2023, 54-year-old Cator Gerald Stokes of Cape Freels was arrested for arson yesterday afternoon by the RCMP East District General Investigation Section (GIS).
On March 10, shortly after 4:30 p.m., surveillance footage captured from the property of the cabin showed an individual on a snowmobile in the area when the fire began.
RCMP East District GIS was engaged in the investigation by New-Wes-Valley RCMP Detachment. Yesterday, a search warrant was authorized and executed by RCMP East District GIS on a residential property in Cape Freels where Stokes was arrested and a snowmobile was seized.
He was held in custody overnight and attends court today, charged with arson.
The snowmobile is a black 2016 Bombardier (Ski-doo) Expedition with a homemade rear cargo box containing a white sticker of a duck. A picture is attached.
New-Wes-Valley RCMP is asking the public to check for any available surveillance footage of the snowmobile, on or near the groomed trail, captured on March 10, 2023, between Cape Freels to Indian Bay during the hours of 2:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
The investigation is continuing.
Anyone having information about this crime is asked to contact New-Wes-Valley RCMP at 709-536-2419 or, to remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), visit www.nlcrimestoppers.com or use the P3Tips app. #SayItHere
BACKGROUND
March 13, 2023
New-Wes-Valley RCMP investigates suspicious fire at cabin near Indian Bay
New-Wes-Valley, Newfoundland and Labrador – New-Wes-Valley RCMP is investigating a suspicious fire that occurred on March 10, 2023, destroying a cabin located at North West Pond near the community of Indian Bay.
Shortly before 7:00 p.m., on Friday, police received the report of the fire from responding firefighters with the Centreville-Wareham-Trinity Fire Department. Police attended the scene. Fresh snowmobile tracks were observed on the property in the snow and an unknown individual, who may have information about the fire, was captured on a snowmobile with a surveillance camera. A picture is attached.
The cabin and a snowmobile parked beside it were completely destroyed by the fire.
Anyone with information on this incident or the identity of the individual captured by surveillance is asked to contact New-Wes-Valley RCMP at 709-536-2419 or, to remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), visit www.nlcrimestoppers.com or use the P3Tips app. #SayItHere
New-Wes-Valley RCMP
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