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The World's Dumbest Arsonist? Police Release Video of Man Who Set Fire to TTC Bus

Posted by Tim / September 2, 2009

31 Comments

In today's Morning Brew, we mentioned a bizarre story about a guy who set fire to the back of a TTC bus. He did it in full view of a number of witnesses and a surveillance camera. He then apparently hailed a Beck taxi in order to flee the scene. Basically, he did everything but leave his wallet and scribble his name and social insurance number on the sidewalk outside.

Anyway, it doesn't look like it should be too much of a challenge to track him down, or successfully press charges. A few hours ago the Toronto Police released a copy of the surveillance video. Watch it below.

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31 Comments

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JPTN / September 2, 2009 at 06:47 pm
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Gotta love surveillance video. Was crucial when a client's store was robbed at gunpoint a few weeks back.
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Toxic / September 2, 2009 at 06:48 pm
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Can you say *moron*!!?
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SavelInTheCity / September 2, 2009 at 06:58 pm
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iddddiottttttt (in my best napoleon dynamite voice)
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rek / September 2, 2009 at 07:26 pm
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Proof that cameras don't deter criminals.
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CA / September 2, 2009 at 07:29 pm
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Certainly not criminals that carry "flammable liquids" around with them in their backpack at 2:30 in the morning.

(You know... just in case you have to set a bus on fire or something)
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Jonathan / September 2, 2009 at 07:37 pm
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The quality of those cameras is good.
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saltspring replying to a comment from Sean / September 2, 2009 at 07:59 pm
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man, that is just so wrong!!!
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hendrix / September 2, 2009 at 08:15 pm
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before he leaves, he looks in his bag and seems to be missing something. he looks back at the fire as if he might go back and check for his missing item... hahhah.

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Bob / September 2, 2009 at 08:20 pm
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And it's one of the new buses, too. Hey people, if you're going to set fire to a TTC bus, can you at least burn up the OLD ONES?
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prole replying to a comment from Bob / September 2, 2009 at 08:37 pm
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Do they even run the old ones downtown? It seems like they reserve the old buses for the poor parts of the city (J&F), not shiny yorkville.

Also, cosign the comment on camera quality. They aren't bad!
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Kenny / September 2, 2009 at 08:37 pm
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People have to realize that even though deterrence plays a role in surveillance cameras, it's more of an investigative tool to catch the badguys... as proven here (and in the Bryant/cyclist case, where police will be using security video of nearby businesses and condos to help with their investigation).

My beef is with the quality of surveillance videos... we live in an age of HIGH DEFINITION... you'd think these cameras would have better resolution and quality than the grainy/blurry/pixelated ones we always see. Hell, you can go to Future Shop and buy a $100 HD video camera!

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Tricky / September 2, 2009 at 08:47 pm
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Wow, people are actual idiots. I am so glad they released this video for all of us to watch. Should do it more often.
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Joe / September 2, 2009 at 09:19 pm
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Um, is anybody moderating these comments??
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JPTN replying to a comment from Kenny / September 2, 2009 at 09:43 pm
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It's not that simple.

Handling multiple SIMULTANEOUS video streams takes a lot of processing and storage. The system I recently setup was 8 cameras, 20fps each at 320x240. Even then, it was ~4GB/day of video. It was approximately $1,600 just for equipment. Then it's $30/hr for contractors to run the cabling (hidden). Plus programming & setup.

Most places, like small convenience stores, aren't going to spend that $.
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Josh Van Urenbroek replying to a comment from Joe / September 2, 2009 at 09:52 pm
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yes Joe, they are moderating
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CL / September 2, 2009 at 09:59 pm
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did you see this in the Star in a sidebar next to their article:

http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/article/689818

"Send us your fire photos -
Were you on the the Yonge St. TTC bus set on fire at about 2:30 a.m. today? Click here to send us your photos and details of the event."

Yea, like if I was on the bus, I'd actually have a moment to take a damn photo of the fire! My ass would be running off the frikin bus!
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J meezi the 3rd. / September 2, 2009 at 11:13 pm
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And after he's caught, he'll get 30 days in prison. Serve 10. And be out... He looks like a dumb, uneducated fellow, doesn't he?
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ThatBoy replying to a comment from prole / September 2, 2009 at 11:59 pm
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@ prole

They use the older buses anywhere in the city when its needed so its not like a certain part of the city has the new hybrids while another part has the old buses. The area around Jane and Finch has the new hybrid buses in service.
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Andrea / September 3, 2009 at 12:27 am
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I keep watching the video amused at the bit where he realizes that he left something behind, searches his bag, pauses, looks back, and then decides to leave. The hesitation contributes to the "dumb criminal" factor. Not that I begrudge him the desire to get the hell out, but run first, search bag later.
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Anonymous / September 3, 2009 at 12:42 am
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This mental deficient is enjoying his last few hours as a free man before he's locked up. Is there a point to this degenerate being loose in society, ever? He will never contribute a thing to the human race besides his own selfishness and idiocy. Enjoy being a loser for all to see, scumbag!
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anastassia / September 3, 2009 at 04:38 am
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How does someone come up with such a bizzare idea? Must have been rather displeased with the gents and ladies over at TTC. I am really baffled.
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Ryan L. replying to a comment from JPTN / September 3, 2009 at 06:59 am
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Not to mention that most items from a Future Shop or Best Buy would never be able to withstand being run for 24 hours a day, every day. Not to mention many of these cameras have to survive all sorts of different weather situations. Hot, cold, wet, dry, ice, dirt, etc.

And because you can't rely on mass produced electronics, you're forced to buy from smaller suppliers who have higher costs and probably higher markup due to make up for the fact they don't sell in massive quantities.

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Mark Dowling replying to a comment from Bob / September 3, 2009 at 07:59 am
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Better yet, it's a hybrid. Just short of three quarter million dollars.
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Xavier / September 3, 2009 at 08:22 am
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That's why he did it
He's actually an agent for big oil and is protesting hybrid technology
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Peter Lynn / September 3, 2009 at 08:51 am
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I don't endorse arson, but if a TTC bus really had to be set on fire, I'm at least glad it was one of those poorly designed low-floor models.
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Anon / September 3, 2009 at 09:40 am
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Uh...doesn't it seem kind of likely that this guy is just mentally ill? There's a difference between mental illness and stupidity, you know.
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Elle Driver replying to a comment from prole / September 3, 2009 at 10:08 am
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Yes, they still do run relatively close to downtown. The rickity-ass round-top buses with no air-con or heating? I ride one sometimes near St. Clair West/Bathurst. It sucks. And thanks to that idiot, there's one less nice bus for us to ride.
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Dan Contogiannis / September 3, 2009 at 12:49 pm
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What a fool. I'm glad they released the video, heh.
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Sean / September 3, 2009 at 04:30 pm
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Heard on the news that they caught him.

He owes the taxpayers of Toronto, $500,000.00
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1weasel / September 4, 2009 at 09:18 am
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Confirmed, the accused, Steven Edwards, is appearing in court today.

http://www.torontopolice.on.ca/newsreleases/pdfs/17143.pdf
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sean / September 7, 2009 at 07:20 pm
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The doors opened without him pushing on the bars, suggesting that the driver was in the bus and opened them for him. As the driver, I'd have left the bus and let the idiot go down with it. One less waste of air for society to deal with.
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