Update: MACKLIN — The chief of the Macklin Fire Department has confirmed to Â鶹ÊÓƵ.ca that the man charged with setting a series of hay bale fires in the area was among the firefighters who responded to those very fires.
Chief Justin Bast says Logan Sieben, 25, arrested and charged by Unity RCMP in connection to recent hay bale fires in Unity/Macklin, was a member of the department.
“After weeks of working hand in hand with the RCMP, our worst suspicions were confirmed and a person of interest was taken into custody. It is with profound sadness that we report this individual was a member of the fire department,” said Macklin Fire Chief Justin Bast in a post on the Macklin & District Fire/ Rescue Facebook page
“MFD is beyond grateful to the Unity [RCMP] detachment for their assistance in this matter. We deeply apologize to the public and hope that you understand that this rash of incidents, due to one individual’s actions, in no way represents the Macklin Fire Department, its members or what we stand for. We want to thank everyone for their support, assistance and understanding,” Bast added.
Sieben has been a member of the MFD since he was 18 years old and Bast confirmed he will no longer be a member of the MFD going forward. Sieben, who grew up in Macklin, actively assisted the department in extinguishing the fires he has been charged with.
Bast also confirmed the reward of $26,500 will not be paid out as the investigation was solved internally.
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Original report:
Unity RCMP arrested and charged a suspect in connection to recent hay bale fires in Unity/Macklin.
Unity RCMP received a report of a hay bale on fire in a field near Macklin and Evesham on July 31. RCMP officers responded, along with the Macklin Fire Department. The incident was one of several hay bale and grass fires that occurred in Unity/Macklin RCMP jurisdiction between July 28 and Aug. 25.
Officers continued to investigate by analyzing evidence, including surveillance video. As a result, on Aug. 26, police officers arrested 25-year-old Logan Sieben from Macklin in relation to this investigation. He is charged with:
- one count of arson causing mischief;
- one count of arson with intent to defraud; and
- one count of theft under $5000.
All charges are under the Criminal Code.
"Within the last month we responded to over 15 reports of deliberately set hay bale and grass fires," says Cpl. Christopher Neufeld of Unity RCMP. "These fires resulted in property loss and greatly impacted our local farmers. Thanks to the diligent work of our RCMP investigators and our partnership and collaboration with Macklin Fire Department, we have now made an arrest and laid charges."
Sieben is scheduled to appear in Unity Provincial Court on Nov. 18.
To help prevent being a victim of these types of property crimes, Unity/Macklin RCMP advise farmers or landowners to transport hay bales to locations where monitoring can happen, if possible. Please report any suspicious people or vehicles to police as soon as possible.
Macklin Fire Department assisted Unity/Macklin RCMP with this ongoing investigation. Earlier, the board that oversees the fire department offered a $20,000 reward for information that would lead to the arrest of those involved. The offer had originally been $3,000.
Concerned residents and businesses started donating funds to the reward for anyone who has information that would lead to the apprehension of anyone involved in the fires.
As of the day of Sieben's arrest, the reward was at $26,500.
Â鶹ÊÓƵ will have more details as they become available.
