MALE ARRESTED ON CHARGES OF ASSAULT, ARSON

(Fort Albany, ON) – A 29-year-old Fort Albany man faces assault and arson charges following an incident inside a home Thursday afternoon.

Nishnawbe Aski Police Service officers attended a house a fire in Fort Albany in the afternoon hours of Thursday, Aug. 15. Firefighters and paramedics were also dispatched and on scene when officers arrived.  

Police learned a verbal altercation occurred within the home between a male suspect and multiple occupants earlier that afternoon.

The occupants of the home fled after the altercation became physical and the male suspect assaulted another adult male inside the home. The victim and accused are known to each other.

 Police also learned the male suspect is alleged to have started a fire inside the home following this incident.

 Following an investigation that included members of the NAPS Northeast Crime Unit, Scenes of Crime Officer (SOCO), and the Office of the Fire Marshal, police located and arrested the male accused without incident on Thursday, Aug. 15. Charges of arson were formally applied on Saturday, Aug. 17.  

 Linden LAZARUS, 29, of Fort Albany First Nation is charged with:

·         Arson – Disregard for Human Life

·         Arson - Damage to Property

·         Assault

·         Failure to comply with release order x 2

The accused has appeared for bail court and was remanded into custody with a future appearance date.