Email

Print

Early this morning, news went viral on Facebook that another one of Deputy Prime Minister Patrick Faber’s vehicles had been destroyed. This time, it was his Mazda CX-15 – a mid-sized SUV  -  and it was set on fire sometime around midnight. 

The arsonist went to his home in the Hollywood area of Lord’s Bank – a home which has at least five surveillance cameras on the outside.  Seen here, the man, who has not been identified as yet, was caught on camera as he jumped the fence with a bottle of fuel to use as an accelerant.  He then poured it all over the Deputy Prime Minister’s vehicle – and then went and got a full five gallon canister of fuel – returned six minutes later, doused the vehicle again, and then jumped the fence – after slipping on the surface made slick by all the fuel. Â 

The Ladyville Fire Department got the call at 12:15 and Faber posted this video on Facebook of the firefighters putting out the fire. Today, we spoke with the Commander of the Rural Eastern Division, in whose jurisdiction this crime happened, and here’s what he had to say about their search for this man:

ACP Edward Broaster - OC, Eastern Division Rural
"Well we received a call a little after 12 of fire at the minister's residence where police responded as well as fire and when the police arrived they saw a vehicle engulfed in flames at the minister's residence. The fire department quickly put out the fire and reviewing the surveillance system that the minister has revealed an intruder entering his premises just little before 12 and departed and came back with what appeared to be a tank of fuel, poured it over the vehicle and set it ablaze."

Reporter
"In so far in your investigations have you had any breakthroughs in terms of a lead, any suspects; where do you guys stand at this present moment?"

ACP Edward Broaster - OC, Eastern Division Rural
"Well currently we're looking for the suspect. In reviewing the tape we could have made his face and we're looking for the suspect at this time."

Reporter
"The motive?"

ACP Edward Broaster - OC, Eastern Division Rural
"We have no idea what the motive is at this time."

Reporter
"Is that someone who is known to the police?"

ACP Edward Broaster - OC, Eastern Division Rural
"No. Not necessarily known per say at this time."

Daniel Ortiz
"This is the 2nd vehicle belonging to the DPM has been destroyed; is the police considering any nexus between the two incidents being connected?"

ACP Edward Broaster - OC, Eastern Division Rural
"We don't believe that there's any nexus between the first incident and this incident but we won't know until we get down into the investigation and really get the motive as to why the individual burnt the vehicle."

Reporter
"Given the tense political climate is there any move from the police department or on the part of the department to provide additional security for these elected officials; particularly either the prime minister and the deputy prime minister at this point?"

ACP Edward Broaster - OC, Eastern Division Rural
"Well the prime minister has always had protective security at his residence and yes given the threat that is being emitted on the deputy prime minister we will have to provide security for him. This latest incident is a clear reason why we should."

We contacted Faber for comment today via text message, which he declined saying that his two young sons are shaken up, and at this time, he wants to be there for them.

The Government released a statement this evening, and suggesting that the torching is somehow connected to the teachers strike. Â That release says, quote, â€œThe Government strongly condemns the actions of those persons who put the lives of the Deputy Prime Minister Hon. Patrick Faber and his two young children in danger... It is welcomed news that no one was injured in this cowardly and despicable act.  The current climate created by the teachers’ strike is no excuse for this lawless behaviour, and Government calls on the mastermind and other persons involved in inciting violence to stop and allow the peaceful democratic process to proceed.â€￾ End Quote.